SWIMMING PRESENTS TO SPORTS SELECT COMMITTEE
British Swimming and the Amateur Swimming Association today
outlined their vision for the sport to a House of Commons
Select Committee evaluating the country's progress towards
2012.
Chief Executive David Sparkes and British Swimming Operations
Director Ian Mason responded to a call for evidence from selected
national governing bodies to review the progress of London
2012 and the likelihood of achieving performance targets set
by UK Sport.
Sparkes and Mason discussed medal prospects for Beijing and
London as well as facilities, funding and legacy benefits
for the Capital and the nation as a whole. The pair were joined
by representatives from UK Athletics, British Cycling and
UK Sport.
"The meeting went very well," said Sparkes. "The
committee was extremely well informed and asked very relevant
questions. The governing bodies were clearly chosen because
they are mass participation sports, have legacy facilities
on site and are in a position to drive the legacy benefits
of the Games. The sports responded honestly and all gave a
similar message."
"We assured the committee that funding for our elite
programme is adequate for our requirements and we're on track
for a successful London 2012, but Beijing will be very competitive
and getting medals there will be extremely tough in the current
climate."
Sparkes used the opportunity to praise progress towards 2012
but warned a more strategic approach to legacy is needed if
the country is to benefit more widely from the Games.
"There's some good work going on around 2012, but we
need to adopt a strategic approach to sport for a real legacy
impact from the Games," he explained.
"We need additional investment into clubs and coaches
to enable us to produce talented athletes as part of the Olympic
legacy and there needs to be someone in place, perhaps from
Sport England, to join up the dots and drive the legacy of
London 2012 before, during and after the Games."
Sparkes also highlighted the need for more 50m facilities
across the country with affordable and appropriate access
for combined community and elite use.
The Culture, Media and Sport Committee will submit a report
detailing evidence from today's meeting to the House of Commons
in the near future. The Committee is appointed by the House
to examine the expenditure, administration and policy of the
Department for Culture, Media and Sport and its associated
public bodies.
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