OLYMPIC MEDAL SCHEME TO REWARD COACH CONTRIBUTION
A reward scheme to recognise the efforts of swimming coaches
putting athletes onto the podium at the Beijing Olympics has
been unveiled by British Swimming.
Coaches of athletes who medal within the pool based and open
water events will receive a bonus determined by the colour
of the medal.
British Swimming National Performance Director Michael Scott
is responsible for implementing a reward system that he feels
goes someway to recognising the invaluable contribution made
by coaches in Britain.
"The introduction of incentives to recognise the performance
contribution of British-based coaches is an important step
in further recognising the vital role and sacrifices coaches
also make for the success of British Swimming in the international
arena," said Scott.
"Such a result-based reward system will assist in fostering
the development of excellence amongst the coaching fraternity
in this country and this will have huge benefits in the long
term."
Swimming nations such as the USA and Australia already provide
financial reward to coaches whose swimmers achieve a podium
position and this will bring the British coach in line with
their foreign counterparts.
Coaches will receive a financial award based on £10,000
for gold, £7,500 for silver and £5,000 for a bronze
medal in the Olympic events.
More than one medal will be rewarded with a multiple award
while relay's finishing on the podium will see the sum divided
by the number of coaches involved with the final four athletes.
"Athletes receive an enhanced award through UK Sport
for finishing on the podium so what we've tried to do is to
replicate this to recognise the contribution made by the coach
in achieving Olympic success," said Scott.
"It brings us in line with some of the biggest swimming
nations in the world and will help towards achieving the best
possible result."
The scheme could also be introduced on an annual basis between
Olympics where a benchmark event of the year, such as a World
Championships, would be identified and results rewarded accordingly.
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