The challenge facing Irish athletes at the Summer Olympics was highlighted this week when, to celebrate the milestone of 100 days to the London Games, UK Sport announced a near €900,000 cash injection from Visa.  This is in addition to the €350 million already invested through central government, National Lottery Funds and sponsorship into athlete preparation for the Olympic and Paralympics games cycle.
The investment in each sport is roughly equivalent to €1200 per athlete and the money will be spent by sports governing bodies on a mix of additional training camps and competitions, new kit or equipment and supplementary expertise in coaching, science and medical backup.
The money comes from Team 2012, a joint venture created in 2008 between UK Sport, the British Olympic Association, the British Paralympic Association and the London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games.
It serves as the official sponsorship and fundraising programme for the athletes and supplements the existing investment provided through the Lottery and Government.
To date, almost £18 million has been raised through presenting partner, Visa, corporate donors, patrons and ambassadors, a small and medium enterprise programme, and a public appeal.
Thursday’s Main News Stories
Gymnast Behan secures deal with BT Ireland
British athletes given investment boost
Cycling a winner in Dublin transport plan
Chinese Racing, eFlow sponsorship in focus, 100 days to the Olympics in Sport for Business Weekly – New Issue out now
Sport for Business will donate €1 to Special Olympics Ireland for every genuine new sign up to the Free Daily News Digest during April
Sport for Business will make a donation to Special Olympics Ireland of 5% of the value of each new subscription paid for during April