04 Jul 2017
UK Sport makes 2018 Winter Olympic funding alterations
BY Matthew Campelli
A number of winter sports have had their UK Sport funding awards altered ahead of the 2018 Winter Olympic Games in Pyeongchang.
Bobsleigh and figure skating have both seen a slight reduction in funding, while short track speed skating, and ski and snowboard have had their funds topped up.
Wheelchair curling has also had its £1.1m (US$1.4m, €1.3m) funding pot reinstated after winning a bronze medal at the 2017 World Championships.
The increase in money for ski and snowboard is a consequence of Dave Ryding’s stellar performance at the World Cup in Kitzbuhel where he achieved a second place finish – the best result for a British alpine skier since 1981.
Its award has been increased by £211,567 (US$273,464, €241,089) to £5.1m (US$6.6m, €5.8m).
Short track speed skating will receive an additional £67,598 (US$87,375, €77,030) following an “exceptional season” that has seen Elise Christie become a double world champion. The sport now has £4.8m (US$6.2m, €5.5m) to spend on its Pyeongchang preparations.
Bobsleigh has had its pot reduced by £48,198 (US$62,325, €54,908) to £5m (US$6.5m, €5.7m) after being asked to “focus their resources”, while figure skating’s fund has been cut by £147,288 (US$190,460, €167,795) to £1.2m (US$1.6m, €1.4m) to “reflect their financial needs”.
However, UK Sport’s overall 2018 Winter Olympics investment has increased from £31.9m (US$41.3m, €36.3m) to £32.3m (US$41.8m, €36.8m).
Chelsea Warr, UK Sport’s director of performance, said that the changes had reflected a “strong season” for winter sports.
“Through the annual investment review process, we have identified ways to protect and enhance medal potential at Pyeongchang 2018 and adjusted our investment accordingly so that we can be confident of more medals and medallists in South Korea to inspire the nation,” she added.
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