Following last week’s announcement that UK Sport would not be funding British Weight Lifting for the 2020 Olympic cycle, Sport England has awarded British Weight Lifting £2.2 million. Beginning in April 2017, British Weight Lifting will be one of 26 national governing bodies to receive funding.
Ashley Metcalfe, British Weight Lifting CEO, said, “We are delighted to receive confirmation of our new funding allocation from Sport England. This is more than double what we currently receive and clearly reflects the potential that Sport England see in the sport.”
Sport England’s goal is to help athletes continue participating in their respective sports and to reduce drop out rates. Sport England’s Director of Sport, Phil Smith, said, “There are millions of people with a regular sporting habit, who are often the most committed and resilient. But our research tells us we can never take them for granted and that life gets in the way of exercise sometimes. The investment we are announcing today shows our ongoing commitment to supporting those who have a close affinity with sport.”
At the 2016 Rio Olympics, Sonny Webster and Rebekah Tiler finished 14th and 10th, respectively.
