UK Sport Announce Government Assurances Over Funding For Tokyo 2021

Photo Courtesy: British Swimming

British Swimming will be able to move forward with their plans for the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics after UK Sport received assurances about funding from the Government.

UK Sport are responsible for investing money from the National Lottery and government income in sports in order to maximise medal prospects at the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

It had been due to run out in March 2021 – four months before Tokyo 2020 which is now scheduled to take place in July next year following its postponement in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

Photo Courtesy: Team GB

However, the guarantee from the Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) means National Governing Bodies (NGBs) can now begin to plan qualification competitions for their athletes and organise training camps whilst also enabling them to maintain their network of support staff.

It also provides the athletes themselves with the reassurance that their Athlete Performance Awards will be extended.

A comprehensive spending review is expected to be announced in the autumn when UK Sport will make a full submission for funding for the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic cycle and the figure to be awarded will become known then.

There was also welcome news that UK Sport can use the underwrite of their Lottery funding to set up a continuity fund to provide support to NGBs negatively impacted by the repercussions of COVID-19.

It is designed to help those who are most at risk of going insolvent over the next three to six months and is already operational.

UK Sport CEO Sally Munday said in a statement:

“Since the outset of the Coronavirus pandemic we’ve maintained really positive dialogue with the DCMS who have been very supportive during what has been an extremely challenging time for sport.

“Today’s confirmation of support for Olympic and Paralympic sport through to the rescheduled Tokyo Games is hugely important as it allows national governing bodies to commit to their revised plans for the Games next summer.

“For sports fans everywhere this is also a significant step as we all look forward to watching our brilliant Olympic and Paralympic athletes perform on the world stage and inspire the nation once again.

“The new Continuity Fund will help in our efforts to maintain and enable a thriving high-performance sporting system in the UK.”Via this fund we will be able to provide additional investment to support those organisations in greatest need and help enable continued operation during these challenging times. The Fund opened today, and we hope to be in a position to make awards shortly.”

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Sports Minister Nigel Huddlestone – who yesterday said the Government was committed to reopening swimming pools as soon as possible in July – added:

“In this time of uncertainty, we are right behind our elite athletes. Recent Olympic and Paralympic Games have proven that their performances make the country proud, promote the best of the UK abroad and help to inspire a more healthy, active nation.

“I know our athletes had worked so hard to be in peak condition this month so I’m very pleased to provide assurance to UK Sport and give athletes the opportunity to compete, realise their medal potential and shine when the Tokyo Games take place in 2021.”

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