Exclusive: Investment in Youth Programmes Means British Bobsleigh Could “dominate” 2018 Games
February 11, 2014
The British Bobsleigh team could be “dominating” the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics thanks to the organisation’s focus on youth programmes, remedy according to their Chairman.
Sir Andrew Ridgway, discount Chairman of British Bobsleigh has said that their Futures Programme has been a high priority of the organisation and that their reward will come at the next Winter Games.
Speaking exclusively to iSportconnect, Ridgway said: “We have focused so much on our youth programme (that now) we have a very high calibre of youngsters.
“I think there is every prospective that if our progress continues as it is, we can be dominating the event by 2018. We have some very talented youngsters coming through.
“We have the only 15 year-olds competing at a high standard. They are the only ones of that age in the world.”
Ridgway added that he hoped to build on the facilities that are already in the country to try and attract new participants.
“At the moment we have one push start track and we are hoping to develop one in Loughborough and London,” said Ridgway.
“I am talking to people in Scotland. We want this to be available to everyone in the country. We are also looking at mobile assets such as roll-bobs that we can take to athletic clubs and schools.”
UK Sport funding ‘never enough’
Team GB’s Bobsleigh team is currently competing at the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympic Games, but for the organisation to continue receiving the same funding from UK Sport as they do now, they are not expected to finish in the medal places.
British Bobsleigh currently receives funding of just over £3.3m, a figure that Ridgway admitted he would want improving after Sochi.
Ridgway commented: “It is never enough and we will certainly be looking for more after Sochi. One thing it does not cover at all is the development side. We were determined when we took over not to focus on Sochi alone.
“We have had our eyes set on 2018 and beyond right from the start.”
You can read the full interview with Sir Andrew Ridgway here