Olympic funding for basketball, synchronised swimming, water polo and weightlifting has been withdrawn following UK Sport’s latest review. [… ]
UK Sport’s review decided to target funding only on those sports where Olympic and Paralympic medals are realistic targets.
Simon Timson, director of performance at UK Sport, said: “We have undertaken a thorough, evidence-based review of all the funded sports to arrive at these tough yet important decisions. By its very nature elite sport is intensely competitive and the cost of success in the Rio environment means it is vital that every pound we invest has a real benefit in terms of medal performance.”
British Swimming Chief Executive David Sparkes suggested that a formal appeal against the decision could take place, and said: “We are deeply disappointed and shocked at the decision to remove funding from the sports of women’s water polo and synchronised swimming.
“While British Swimming welcomes UK Sport’s on-going support for diving and para-swimming, as well as recognising the massive turn around in the direction of the swimming programme, it is an extremely dark day for women’s sport in this country as today’s announcement could well signal the death of these historic Olympic sports in Britain.
