London: UK Sport, the elite sports funding body, has announced a historic investment of £330m to support England’s Olympic and Paralympic athletes as they prepare for the 2028 Games in Los Angeles. This funding, spread across more than 50 sports, represents a record-breaking commitment to fostering athletic excellence on the global stage.
Expanding Support to New Sports
The investment includes funding for five new sports added to the 2028 Olympic roster:
- Baseball/Softball
- Flag Football
- Lacrosse
- Para-Climbing
- Squash
These sports will receive financial backing for the first time, aligning with UK Sport’s strategy to nurture emerging disciplines.
However, breaking, which debuted at the Paris 2024 Olympics, is no longer eligible for funding after being removed from the 2028 Olympic program.
Enhanced Support for Athletes
In addition to the £330m allocated to sports programs, UK Sport will distribute over £70m through Athlete Performance Awards (APAs). These awards directly support athletes’ living and training expenses, enabling them to focus solely on their performance.
Including APAs, total funding for the 2028 LA Games cycle will surpass £400m, exceeding the £385m invested for Paris 2024.
Balancing Potential and Performance
Sally Munday, UK Sport’s CEO, emphasized that funding decisions are based on potential rather than past performances.
“Funding is not a reward or a punishment; it’s an investment in future success,” Munday explained.
Athletics Funding Reduced Again
Despite notable successes, including 10 medals at the 2023 World Championships and Paris 2024, UK Athletics has experienced a funding reduction for the second consecutive cycle. Their budget has been cut by £1.725m, bringing the total to just over £30m.
Jack Buckner, CEO of UK Athletics, expressed disappointment, arguing that the sport’s achievements warranted greater support.
Other sports facing cuts include canoeing, with a reduction of over £500,000, and modern pentathlon and equestrian, which also saw reduced allocations. Conversely, rowing received a boost, increasing to £24.85m from £22.72m.
Basketball’s New Era
In a significant development, British Basketball has been awarded £2.925m. This funding will primarily support the development of the 3×3 basketball format, a fast-paced version of the sport gaining popularity globally.
Chris Grant, chair of the British Basketball Federation, described this as a pivotal moment: “This investment signals a new era for basketball in Great Britain.”
Aiming for Consistent Top Five Placement
Team GB secured 65 medals at the Paris Olympics and 124 medals at the Paralympics, finishing seventh in the Olympic medal table. Sally Munday affirmed UK Sport’s goal of achieving a consistent top-five finish in future Games.
“We’ll leave no stone unturned in analyzing our Paris performance and making improvements to achieve top-five standings consistently,” she said.
Conclusion
UK Sport’s record-breaking investment underscores Britain’s ambition to excel at the 2028 LA Games. With targeted funding for emerging sports, athlete development, and strategic planning, the nation aims to build on its rich Olympic and Paralympic legacy.
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UK Sport invests £330m for the 2028 LA Games, funding over 50 sports, including new Olympic additions like squash and lacrosse.