Memorandum submitted by the British Olympic Association

(OW 12)

1. The British Olympic Association (BOA) is the National Olympic Committee (NOC) for Great Britain and Northern Ireland. It was formed in 1905 in the House of Commons, and at that time consisted of seven National Governing Body members. The BOA now includes as its members the thirty-three National Governing Bodies of each Olympic sport.

2. Great Britain is one of only five countries which have never failed to be represented at the summer Olympic Games since 1896. Great Britain, France and Switzerland are the only countries to have also been present at all Olympic Winter Games. Great Britain has also played host to two Olympic Games in London: in 1908 and 1948. In 2005, London was selected as the host city for the 2012 Olympic Games.

3. The BOA is one of 205 NOCs currently recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The IOC's role is to lead the promotion of Olympism in accordance with the Olympic Charter. The Charter details the philosophy, aims and traditions of the Olympic Movement. The IOC co-opts and elects its members from among such persons as it considers qualified. Members of the IOC are its representatives in their respective countries and not delegates of their countries within the IOC.

4. The BOA's role is to select, prepare, manage and lead Britain's finest athletes at the summer, winter and youth Olympic Games. In Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the BOA is responsible for the development and protection of the Olympic Movement, whose vision is to contribute to building a peaceful and better world by educating youth through sport. In addition, the BOA delivers extensive elite level support services to Britain's Olympic athletes and their National Governing Bodies throughout each Olympic cycle to assist them in their preparations for, and performances at the Games.

5. The BOA does not receive any direct government or public finance and is completely dependent upon commercial sponsorship and fundraising income. The impartiality this grants the BOA means that it can speak freely as a strong independent voice for British Olympic sport. Sport is built on the work of volunteers and those coaches, clubs, governing bodies and international federations who protect and promote their interests. The BOA believes that the autonomy of sport should be protected.

6. As a result of London hosting the Games in 2012, the BOA's commercial rights have been transferred to the London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games (LOCOG), to ensure LOCOG can generate the revenue required to stage the Games. As such, the BOA cannot raise funds through traditional sponsorship channels as it had done previously and must now increase its fundraising activity in order to make up the considerable short fall which is more apparent given the increase in the BOA's responsibility and status as a host nation NOC.

This submission provides evidence relating to one of the Inquiry's requested areas of interest:

· The potential benefits for developing sporting excellence in Wales

7. In 1997, the BOA began to devise and develop the Bid to host the 2012 Olympic Games under the premise that staging the greatest sporting event in the world would provide economic, cultural, social and above all sporting, benefits throughout the UK.

8. The evidence collated from previous Olympic Games suggests that the performance of the home team improves by virtue of them being the host nation and consequently can act as a catalyst for improving a nation's future sporting success overall. Six days after London was awarded the 2012 Olympic Games during a conference called by the BOA, British Sport agreed to set an aspirational target for Team GB to finish in fourth place in the 2012 medal table. Immediately after winning the Bid, British Sport had recognised that it had to maximise this unique opportunity to develop excellence and improve performance.

9. Proceeding a significant lobbying campaign led by the BOA and UK Sport, in March 2006 the then Chancellor Gordon Brown announced a funding package for the Olympic and Paralympic Sports of £600 million[1] in the lead-up to 2012. This extra investment has been invaluable to the development of the Olympic sports and the continuous improvements in the success of Team GB. The Beijing 2008 Olympic Games proved a substantial indication of the potential for sporting excellence within British Sport. Team GB produced the best performance for one hundred years winning 47 medals; 19 gold, 13 silver and 15 bronze. Indeed, 5 of those medals (3 gold, 2 silver) were won by Welsh athletes. The outstanding performance of Team GB at the 2008 Olympic Games was testament to the dedication of those talented athletes and coaches, but also highlighted the affect an increase in investment can have on their potential to succeed.

10. The BOA recognises the importance of developing sporting excellence within the four Home Nations which will ultimately strengthen the performances of Team GB as they come together collectively. The overarching developments within British Sport which have occurred as a direct result of hosting the 2012 Olympic Games will have an impact on the future success of the Home Nations. The sporting infrastructure within Wales, particularly those governing bodies and athletes operating there, will benefit from these developments. The 2012 Training Camp Guide identified 31 facilities accommodating 27 sports/disciplines across Wales, the advantages in highlighting these facilities and ensuring their maintenance in the lead-up to 2012 is also important for the future development of sporting excellence in Wales.

11. Team GB's performances this summer captivated the nation; their strength, passion and determination made the nation proud and provided a significant 'feel-good factor' throughout the UK. In Cardiff a crowd of over 2000 people welcomed the 14 Welsh Team GB athletes back from Beijing and the BOA hopes that the interest and excitement amongst the British public will develop in the lead-up to 2012. Hosting the group matches of the 2012 football competition at the Millennium stadium in Cardiff will be a great opportunity to watch live 2012 action and will serve to bring the unique 'Olympic atmosphere' to Wales. Inspiring young people to participate and compete in sport is crucial for the long-term development of sporting excellence. Today's young participants are the Olympians of the future and the profile and success granted to Team GB in 2012 will serve to inspire those young people to go on and become Wales' and Team GB's future success stories.

12. As equally important as harnessing the inspirational value of 2012 will be the provision of adequate opportunities for people to participate in sport. Responsibility for sports policy is devolved to the Home Country administrations and as such the Welsh Assembly is charged with developing a strategy which will ensure a sporting legacy for Wales post-2012. Improving the opportunities for people to participate in sport is an important facet of hosting the Olympic Games. Maximising the inspirational value of 2012 is essential if the long-term benefits for developing sporting excellence are to be realised.

13 January 2009

[1] £300 million existing National Lottery contribution, plus an additional £200 million from the exchequer. Remaining £100 million to be raised from the private sector.