Britain’s Olympic sports ‘excel’

From the British Olympic Association

Two years to the day, Team GB will be marching into the Opening Ceremony of the Games of the XXIX Olympiad. In a summer which has been described by some as one of the worst ever for British sport, contrary to that perception, many of our Olympic sports have excelled as the preparations for the 2008 Beijing Olympics continue in earnest.

Up to 340 of Britain’s finest athletes from across the 28 Olympic sports could travel to Beijing as part of Team GB, carrying a nation’s sporting aspirations upon on their shoulders.

The Olympic Games in 2008 will act as the first significant marker of progress made in a significant transitional period for British Olympic sport after the injection of an unprecedented extra £300 million of government funding in March this year. The extra support will allow all sports the financial stability to put professional systems and infrastructure in place to provide the best preparations, facilities and world class coaching for their athletes.

Commenting on Team GB hopes for Beijing, Simon Clegg, BOA Chief Executive, said:

“Signs are extremely encouraging; this year has seen some promising performances, particularly from those sports which have not historically been regularly associated with Team GB Olympic success. The future is certainly looking bright and 2006 should not be written off as a summer of discontent for British Sport – many of our Olympic sports are proudly flying the flag.”

Promising performances include:

At the European Fencing Championships in July Richard Kruse won a silver medal in the men’s foil, Britain’s first European medal since 1936 and our first medal at a major championships for 41 years.

GB’s Judo squad recorded its best performance for ten years at the European Championships with four medals, including two European titles

GB shooters Richard Faulds, Lesley Goddard and Elena Little achieved the qualifying marks at the weekend for the 2008 Beijing Games in the ISSF World Championships in Zagreb

GB swimming team has just arrived home from their most successful European Championships, winning thirteen medals, including two golds

GB claimed gold and silver medals at the International Archery Grand Prix in Croatia in May. This is the biggest event outside the Olympics and the World Championships, with 44 countries and over 400 archers taking part

For more information please contact Louisa Huddy in the BOA Press Office on 020 8871 2677 ext247 / 07789 658 798.