UK Athletics given nearly £2m funding cut for LA 2028 Olympics

Altogether the elite sport funding body UK Sport says it's investing a record £330 million to boost our medal chances. But for the second time in a row, the Athletics budget is being trimmed back, while there's more cash for sports like basketball


Athletics emerged as the big loser today as funding levels for the Los Angeles Olympic and Paralympic cycle were announced by UK Sport.

Although Athletics brought home ten medals from the Paris Games, the sport’s hand-out has been cut by almost £2 million. Even Equestrian received an uplift, despite being at the centre of the Charlotte Dujardin horse abuse scandal.UK Athletics (UKA) CEO Jack Buckner said: "We are disappointed we did not receive the settlement we were hoping for from UK Sport for the Olympic programme.” He added: "Whilst our budgets will be tighter for the next four years, we shall keep building momentum and finding ways to support athletes to realise their potential at major championships.”

Announcing the funding levels, UK Sport boss Sally Munday was keen to point out the decisions were made not to reward sports, but to reflect future potential. She thanked the government and National Lottery for signing off their biggest ever investment - at £330m - for an Olympic and Paralympic cycle. Munday did say she’d meet with UKA in the New Year given it has recently decided to reduce the amount of money it gives its coaches.Cycling topped the funding table with £30,125,000 – a million pounds increase and £10m more than Athletics, and a total of £2.9m was given to new sports for LA, including lacrosse, squash and baseball.


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