UK Sport has revealed a doubling of National Lottery and Government investment in British winter Olympic and Paralympic sports preparing for the next Games in PyeongChang, South Korea, in 2018.
Following a breakthrough Games in Sochi, where British Olympians won four medals to equal their greatest ever winter medal haul, including a first medal on snow, and the Paralympic team won six medals, their best winter haul in 30 years and a first ever winter Paralympic gold medal, the sports made a compelling case for increased investment in the next cycle.
UK Sport will invest up to £31 million in eight winter Olympic and Paralympic sports, who have demonstrated ‘credible medal potential’ for PyeongChang 2018 or in 2022 – more than double the investment in the Sochi cycle, of just over £14 million.
Liz Nicholl, CEO of UK Sport, said: ‘Our winter Olympic and Paralympic athletes performed exceptionally in Sochi. Inspired by our summer teams’ performances at London 2012, our winter athletes followed suit; proving that our UK system is working and we can create a nation of winners, with sustained funding from Government and The National Lottery invested strategically by UK Sport.’
‘The record £31 million investment announced today reflects the belief we have in the potential of our winter sports and athletes to make us proud again in four years’ time in PyeongChang, with yet more medal success.’
Minister for Sport Helen Grant added: ‘It’s fantastic news that UK Sport is doubling their investment in our winter Olympic and Paralympic teams. This recognises the hard work put in by our athletes who brought home a record medal haul from Sochi. We are now in a great place to break more records and deliver more medals at PyeongChang 2018.’
The funded sports are Bobsleigh, Curling, Figure Skating, Short Track Speed Skating, Skeleton, Ski and Snowboard.
On the Paralympic side, there is a more than five-fold overall increase in funding from the Sochi cycle, with up to £4 million confirmed to support Para-Alpine Skiing and Wheelchair Curling.
