A hugely successful first year means UK Sport’s Gold Event Series is already halfway towards its target of bringing 70 world class sporting championships to the UK.
Confirmation of the 2014 FINA/NVC Diving World Series being staged at the London Aquatics Centre marks the 35th event to have been secured as part of the six-year, £27million National Lottery funded initiative to help build a strong and sustainable legacy from London 2012 and the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games.
The Gold Event Series will:
- Use seven London 2012 venues and four Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games venues
- Provide an opportunity for an estimated 2.5 million spectators to experience world class sport
- Generate approximately £287million of additional revenue for host cities and regions across the UK
The Gold Event Series has an impressive 80 per cent bid success rate and has already secured the 2017 World Athletics and IPC Athletics Championships to be staged in the London Olympic Stadium, the 2015 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships at the Hydro Arena in Glasgow and the 2016 World Track Cycling Championships at the London velodrome.
Events are scheduled to be hosted in 20 cities and include 17 Paralympic sports. Fourteen events have already been staged with more than half a million spectators having the chance to see live international sport so far.
Liz Nicholl, Chief Executive of UK Sport, said: "UK Sport is determined to play a full role in building a strong legacy from London 2012. Our Gold Event Series is making excellent use of London 2012 and Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games venues and is bringing inspirational experiences of world class sport to the nation. Sports are also committing to using this platform to engage more people in sporting activity.
"There is also an important performance element to our strategy as we know athletes thrive on competing in a home environment and many of these events will play a part in securing qualification for the Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
"Thanks to National Lottery funding, I am delighted we are already halfway towards our target with so many prestigious events secured for the nation to enjoy. The UK has a compelling mix of world class facilities, great infrastructure and technical know-how as well as the passionate fans and army of volunteers that made London 2012 so memorable."
The continued hosting of major sporting events plays a central role in the Government’s long term sporting strategy, using London 2012 and the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games to attract championships that deliver a range of sporting and economic benefits for the UK.
Minister for Sport, Helen Grant, said: "London 2012 showed the world that Britain can deliver the biggest major sporting events.
"The Gold Event Series is capitalising on our enhanced reputation in world sport, targeting 70 major events that would generate £287 million additional expenditure in the UK and, just as importantly, inspire more people to participate in sport."
Studies have shown athletes’ performance is improved by up to 25% by a home crowd and 17 of the events have been targeted as they form part of the qualification criteria for Rio 2016.
Laura Trott won two gold medals in October at the UCI Track Cycling World Cup in Manchester which forms part of the Gold Event Series.
She said: "I love the buzz of competing in front of a home crowd it gives me a real lift. Fans here are so passionate and knowledgeable it can really give an edge to your performance.
"The Gold Event Series has helped bring so many Olympic and Paralympic sporting events to the UK – it plays a key role in keeping public interest in sports alive."
Events are not only supported for their likely performance impact on GB athletes, but also to maximise the wider sporting, social, cultural, economic and environmental benefits.
Find out more about the Gold Event Series >