GB Snowsport blocked from Olympic programme amid governance review
Summary
UK Sport has withdrawn all funding from GB Snowsport for the next Olympic cycle, following an independent review into the organisation's governance. The decision comes six months after Team GB achieved their most successful Winter Olympics at Milano-Cortina and as record levels of funding were confirmed for British winter and parasport athletes ahead of the Alpes 2030 Games. UK Sport has guaranteed £12.5m to fund coaches and athletes across ski and snowboard events, and their Paralympic equivalents, over the next four years. This is the largest share of a total pool of £33m for winter sports, ahead of the £10.1m guaranteed to bobsleigh and skeleton. While UK Sport affirmed its commitment to athletes ahead of Alpes 2030, a new funding mechanism outside of GB Snowsport is yet to be confirmed, with an announcement expected before the end of the year.
Key points
- UK Sport will not route investment for snowsport through GB Snowsport once funding for the Milan Cortina cycle ends.
- The funding body will pay athletes grants directly into the new cycle while it addresses governance challenges.
- UK Sport is creating a new organisation, Sport Org, to take over the running of elite programmes in certain sports.
- GB Snowsport has changed chair twice in the past three years, with Michael Osterlin currently acting in an interim capacity.
- Ice Hockey UK is to receive £445,000 to help support the sport’s planned transition into a more commercially sustainable form.
Timeline
Team GB record their most successful Winter Olympics at Milano-Cortina.
UK Sport withdraws funding from GB Snowsport for the next Olympic cycle.
An announcement is expected regarding the new funding mechanism.
“Competition across Olympic and Paralympic winter sport is only getting stronger, which is why it’s more important than ever that we invest where we can have the biggest impact.”
Background
GB Snowsport has changed chair twice in the past three years, with Michael Osterlin currently operating in an interim capacity.
Why it matters
The funding withdrawal means athletes will receive grants directly from UK Sport, bypassing the organisation, as a new funding mechanism is established.
What's next
UK Sport will commission an independent review into the governance of GB Snowsport, and a new funding mechanism is expected before the end of the year.