2010
6
Feb
Great Britain: British Olympic chiefs bail out winter athletes – AFP News : Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics
London (AFP) - British Olympic chiefs on Friday bailed out winter sports athletes bound for the Vancouver Games after the national ski and snowboard federation was placed into administration.
The British Ski and Snowboard Federation, which trades as Snowsport GB, said last month that it needed a 200,000 pounds (324,120 dollars) cash injection to keep operating, a sum that was not forthcoming.
"It is with disappointment that the British Olympic Association (BOA) has learnt today that one of its member governing bodies, Snowsport GB, has been placed into administration," the BOA said in a statement.
The federation's financial problems had led to fears that snowboarder Zoe Gillings and skier Chemmy Alcott, two of Britain's leading medal hopes in a country that has had rarely enjoyed sporting success on the slopes, wouldn't be able to compete in the February 12-28 Games in Canada.
But the BOA moved swiftly to guarantee that they would indeed be featuring in Olympic competition.
"With the overall concern for Team GB's skiers and snowboarders preparing for the competition of their lives at the Winter Olympics in Vancouver, the BOA will immediately put in place a contingency plan to ensure that the interests of the athletes are protected," it said.
"The BOA will make sure that the 14 skiers and snowboarders selected to represent Team GB can attend the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games.
"In addition the BOA will ensure that the athletes and their accredited coaches and support personnel have the resources and logistical support necessary to compete at their highest level in Vancouver."
The BOA explained that with the endorsement of the International Ski Federation (FIS) it had mobilised a current dormant subsidiary company, Team GB Ltd, to act as the National Governing Body for Ski and Snowboarding.
"In this capacity, Team GB Ltd will trade under the name of BSS (British Ski and Snowboarding) and will ensure that FIS registration and FIS race entries continue for all accredited athletes without undue disruption."
The BOA added, however, that the BSS was merely a bridging the gap and that after the Games there will be a full consultation process to determine how the skiers, snowboarders and all interested parties wish to see the governing body for the sport functioning.
BOA chairman Colin Moynihan said: "It is with great regret that one of our governing bodies has gone into administration, particularly at such a critical time for our Olympic team.
"The National Olympic Committee has immediately sought to implement a solution to this dilemma. The athletes and coaches can rest assured that we will work around the clock to support them and help ensure that those involved in the sport can find the best possible structure for it going forward."
Snowboarder Gillings called the BOA's move "welcome good news".
"It's been a difficult time for a lot of snowsport athletes, and I'm very hopeful that this will be a very positive step forward for skiers and snowboarders alike," she said.
lp10