Officially "disappointed"

RYA join with others to express dismay at the British Government's financial attitude to 2012

The Royal Yachting Association (RYA) is joining the British Olympic Association and UK Sport in criticising the government’s pre-budget report statement, after the British Government's Chancellor Gordon Brown yesterday failed to commit any additional funds to ensure the success of Great Britain’s athletes at the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Sailing is Britain’s most successful Olympic sport and Britain is the most successful sailing nation in Olympic history. Rod Carr, CEO of RYA and UK Sport Board Member, is concerned. “The lack of any announcement supporting British Sport is very disappointing and this may have an impact on British Sailing. We wanted the Government to commit to additional funding as financial support is vital to enable Britain to remain successful and stay at the top of the medal table in sailing.”

John Derbyshire, RYA Performance Director, commented. “It’s disheartening that Gordon Brown was unable to commit to putting additional funding into the development of Team GB for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic games. Many of our young athletes, inspired to take up sailing because of London 2012, and our existing medallists need funding sooner rather than later in order to realise their Olympic dreams and to fulfil the dreams of the British public.”

Key executives from RYA and other Olympic Governing Bodies will meet this evening (Tuesday) to discuss this issue and others impacting on high performance sport in the UK and the role of the host National Olympic Committee in 2012.