Department for Culture Media and Sport
world class sport
Funding for medal winning performances
UK Sport is responsible for distributing lottery and government funding to sport, working in partnership with the British Olympics Association, the British Paralympics Association and National Governing Bodies to take UK sport to world-class success.
The run up to 2012
UK Sport has responsibility for the World Class Performance Pathway for Olympic and Paralympics sport including the Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme, London 2012 Scholarships and the funding and direction of the English Institute of Sport.
Elite athletes are offered services through their National Governing Bodies, including coaching, sports science, innovation, and travel and performance lifestyle support.
Financial support is also provided directly towards living and training costs.
The World Class Performance Pathway
The World Class Performance Pathway has three levels:
This Programme will support sports with realistic medal capabilities at the next Olympic/Paralympics Games, a maximum of four years away.
Distribution of athlete places will be based on a combination of the sport's:
- Results at the last Games
- Competitive track record
- Projected medal capability in the future
- Demonstrated ability to constantly produce athletes through the pathway
Support is provided through a performance programme with the governing body and an athlete personal award.
This Programme is designed to support the stage of the pathway immediately beneath the Podium and is for sports that have shown realistic medal winning capabilities for 2012.
Olympic athletes at this level are typically six years away from the podium though this timeframe may be shortened for Paralympics athletes.
This programme will also embrace those sports with realistic capabilities to be competitive in 2012 but where medal achievement is unlikely.
This Programme is designed to support the identification and confirmation of athletes who have the potential to progress through the World Class pathway with the help of targeted investment.
Funding will allow sports to identify the athletes with all the right attributes to ensure they can go on to compete effectively on the world stage.
This programme also aims to enable sports to improve how they identify new athletes and look at ways in which talent can be transferred across sports.
Olympic athletes will be a maximum of 8 years away from the podium, but again could be much less for Paralympics athletes.
Learn more about the World Class Performance Pathway.
World Class Events Programme
Through the World Class Events Programme, UK Sport distributes about £3.3 million Lottery funding each year to support the bidding and staging costs of major events in the UK, providing specialist support to organisers.
UK Sport aims to secure events of strategic importance that deliver a range of lasting benefits, including:
- Improved performance by home athletes
- Legacy of facilities, equipment and development initiatives
- Visible role models encourage young to take up sport
- Increased participation
How do I apply for funding?
First you have to check if the event you are planning can be classed as “major” and if it meets other criteria for eligibility.
- Visit UK Sport’s website for the eligibility criteria and to download a pre-application pack
What happens next?
Once event organisers have formally applied for funding, the proposal is considered by the Major Events Panel, which meets every two months and makes recommendations on awards to the UK Sport's Board.
Events not deemed to be a priority for funding from UK Sport will be passed on to the relevant Home Country Sports Council.
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