From UK Sport
As the Vancouver Winter Olympic Games draws to a close please find below a statement by John Steele, CEO of UK Sport.
“The abiding memory for me of the 2010 Vancouver Olympics was the gold medal won by Amy Williams. It was an incredible achievement by an outstanding British athlete and will go down in history as one of the most memorable moments for British Winter Sport. Whilst missing the medal target is disappointing, I believe that the results in Vancouver have shown that the level of our funding in the winter sports is both right and proportionate in terms of opportunity and outcome.
“Our experience as lead agency for strategic investment in Olympic sport tells us that it is not just about the money – but where and in who you invest it. We have always been true to our ‘no compromise’ principle in investing only in athletes and sports who we believe have a genuine opportunity of winning medals. The fantastic performances by the members of the British Bob Skeleton team shows this strategy does work and medals can be won if the right programmes and athletes are in place to benefit from our support and investment.
“As is normal, we will now conduct our investment review. The margins between success and failure at the top of Olympic sport can be very small and while success at the Games is a vital component it is not the only consideration when making funding decisions.”
For any further information please contact Calum Gillies on 07748111331 or Russell Langley on 07880740772
SJA dates for your diaries
Mon Mar 8: SJA British Sports Journalism Awards dinner, at The Brewery. Tickets on sale now – click here to book
March (date to be confirmed): SJA Olympic lunch, with a British gymnastics world medallist as guest (details to be confirmed)
Mon Apr 12:The SJA’s second “Sporting Question Time”, this time with London Mayor Boris Johnson at City Hall. This will be strictly for SJA members only. To book your ticket, click here to send us an email with your name, SJA membership number and address, writing “Sporting Question Time with Boris” in the subject field
Mon Apr 12: SJA Spring Golf Day, to be staged at Surbiton GC. To book, contact Paul Trow (07973 862747).
Thu Apr 15: SJA 2010 Annual Meeting, at offices of UK Sport
Mon Apr 19: SJA/LOCOG guided tour of Olympic Park (2pm – booking details to be announced)
Sun Apr 25: SJA Cricket Day. Enjoy corporate hospitality with friends and colleagues, and bring along your partner, as Lancashire take on Surrey. Tickets £65 each.
Mon Sep 13: SJA Autumn Golf Day, Muswell Hill GC. To book, contact Paul Trow (07973 862747).
□ UK Sport is the longest standing lead sponsor of the Sports Journalists’ Association, with a partnership that goes back more than a decade. Sky Bet is the SJA’s newest partner, the sponsorship being announced in October 2008.
Both partners support the SJA’s two prestigious annual awards events, including the presentation of a special UK Sport Award for excellence at the SJA’s British Sports Awards and the sports betting writer of the year at the SJA’s British Sports Journalism Awards.
The SJA Annual Sports Awards are the longest established of their kind in the United Kingdom, having been first staged in 1949.
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Book your tickets for sports journalism’s Big Night Out – the British Sports Journalism Awards on Monday March 8 – click here for details and booking form