An Intensive Training Centre (ITC) in Stockport, which was set up after the Beijing Olympic Games in 2008 has its funding cut by British Swimming.
Stockport was one of five ITCs set up after the 2008 games, but is the only one which will have funding cut. Bath, Loughborough, Stirling and Swansea will still receive government funding.
British Swimming will receive a total of £21.4 million for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games to help swimmers with training, medical support and sports science. Although this may sound like a lot, it is in fact a drop of 14.9 per cent from the budget for the London 2012 Olympic Games, held last year.
Speaking of the decision to cut funding to Stockport, David Sparkes, Chief Executive of British Swimming, said:
“With significant budget cuts it has been necessary to look across the sport at savings and, while we’ve achieved considerable cost reductions in a number of areas already, it was inevitable that we should have to focus our more limited resources and operate with fewer ITCs.”
Some of the medal winners to come out of Stockport’s ITC include Keri-Anne Payne, who won silver in the 10km open water in Beijing 2008 and Cassie Patten who won bronze in the same event.
The ITCs in Bath and Loughborough will continue to run for another four years, whilst Stirling and Swansea will run until the end of the year.
“Our Olympic performance debrief gave a clear indication that the system underpinning swimming is world class and the ITCs at the heart of that system are clearly important,” David added.
How do you feel about the funding cuts to swimming? Do you think to retirement of Rebecca Adlington has had negative impact on the swimming world? Share your comments with us below.
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