With a year to go until the opening of the Team GB Preparation Camp for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, the British Olympic Association (BOA) has announced a partnership with UK Sport which will help deliver a world class training environment in Brazil.
UK Sport, through The National Lottery, will invest £1.6m into Team GB’s Preparation Camp in Belo Horizonte, playing a key role in developing a world class performance environment for Team GB athletes and support staff prior to the Olympic Games next summer.
The grant will allow the BOA to implement a high quality training set-up to ensure great preparation for Team GB heading into Rio 2016. A short 45 minute flight from Rio, Belo Horizonte will host Team GB across multiple International Federation standard venues between 17th July and 16th August next year. Through a combination of world class sporting facilities, accommodation and medical services coupled with ideal time zone and climatic conditions conducive with Rio itself, Belo Horizonte is an ideal location to host Team GB’s final preparations for the Games.
The Preparation Camp will be Team GB’s largest pre-Olympic Games set-up to date with British athletes competing in Rio transiting through Belo Horizonte en route to the Olympic Village. The camp will be used for final phase training, acclimatisation, hosting warm-up matches and rest and relaxation ahead of Rio 2016.
Mark England, Team GB’s Chef de Mission for Rio 2016 said: “It’s fantastic to have the support of UK Sport and The National Lottery as we ramp up our preparations for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
“The Preparation Camp is set to play a pivotal role in our ability to maximise the performance of the team next year and UK Sport’s involvement will be crucial in creating first class facilities for our athletes in Belo Horizonte.”
Liz Nicholl, CEO of UK Sport said, “For our athletes to make the nation proud once again in Rio, it’s crucial that they receive world class support throughout their entire journey to the Olympic Games.
“Our partnership with the British Olympic Association is key to ensuring a seamless transition from daily training environment, through the Team GB Preparation Camp, to the start line in Rio, and we would like to thank National Lottery players for making all of this possible."