UK Sport Chair on Future Plans and Funding

In the wake of the Paris Olympic Games, Team GB's silver medallists, including Josh Kerr and Matt Hudson-Smith, are grappling with the complexities of their achievements. Dame Katherine Grainger, a five-time Olympic medallist and chair of UK Sport, addressed these sentiments during a recent interview on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme. While she expressed satisfaction with the overall haul of 65 medals, Grainger acknowledged that the team’s gold medal count of 14 is the lowest in two decades, indicating a need for improvement. Grainger emphasized that a decline in gold medals should not lead to funding cuts for sports, as this creates undue pressure on athletes. She noted the importance of maintaining support for athletes, stating, “If we don’t perform, this could be our sport over.” Despite the financial challenges posed by rising costs, Grainger affirmed that UK Sport remains committed to its ambitions, albeit in a more streamlined manner, which has necessitated staff reductions. As part of UK Sport's ongoing efforts to nurture talent, Grainger announced the launch of the "Find Your Greatness" programme. This initiative aims to inspire the public to engage with sports, particularly during the heightened interest surrounding the Olympics and Paralympics. Grainger highlighted the success of previous talent identification schemes, such as the Sporting Giants programme, which successfully recruited athletes based on specific physical attributes. The focus now shifts to discovering potential talent in emerging sports like speed climbing.