British Athletes Lose National Lottery Funding
Some of Britain’s best known track and field athletes have had their lottery funding taken away as British Athletics tightens its World Class Performance Programme requirements.
New regulations from British Athletics mean that a number of the country’s top athletes will no longer receive lottery funding.
Under the old system athletes were awarded “podium” funding based on their chances to make a World Championship or Olympic final.
However, now only those with a chance of winning a medal at the Rio Olympics in three years will be given funding.
The director of British Athletics performance, Neil Black, said “Our immediate focus is firmly on medals in 2016, followed by London 2017 when we will host both the IAAF and IPC World Athletics Championships. From there, attention shifts to Tokyo 2020, our WCPP selections absolutely reflect that focus.”
Other notable names which will no longer receive funding include middle-distance runners Lisa Dobriskey and Jenny Meadows who won silver and bronze respectively in the 1500m and 800m at the 2009 World Championships.
