The National Lottery has been a vital source of funding for ParalympicsGB since 1997, providing crucial support for athletes, coaches, and support staff. This funding has enabled the team to achieve remarkable success, with over 300 gold medals won across the summer and winter Paralympic Games. The National Lottery’s contribution to Paralympic success is multifaceted.
It’s 300 gold medals for @ParalympicsGB since National Lottery funding was introduced in 1997 👏 Alfie Hewett and Gordon Reid’s🥇at the #Paris2024 Paralympic Games secured the milestone 🙌 That’s the impact of @tnluk players funding#ThanksToYou #TNLAthletes pic.twitter.com/ARfnNvIVqV — National Lottery Good Causes (@LottoGoodCauses) September 6, 2024 “The support from The National Lottery is absolutely pivotal to the medal success for ParalympicsGB and it shows in the medals we have won,” he said. “It’s about the support over the entire cycle, not just in Olympic or Paralympic year, which allows us to focus on training, go on the best training camps and have the best people around us.
“You don’t have to worry about having another job and you can focus entirely on your sport. “We wouldn’t be as successful as we have been without it, there’s no doubt in that. It’s pivotal to keep that momentum going to build the Paralympic movement.” The support of The National Lottery and its players gives athletes the opportunity to access high performance facilities, training camps and more on their journey to a Paralympic Games. From Sarah Storey winning her 18th Paralympic gold medal at the age of 46 to 13-year-old Iona Winnifrith, who became ParalympicsGB’s youngest swimming medallist this century with 100m breaststroke silver, ParalympicsGB athletes have not fallen short of inspirational stories at Paris 2024.
The UK’s National Lottery has been instrumental in funding the success of British athletes. The National Lottery has contributed significantly to the funding of various sports, including athletics, cycling, swimming, and rowing. The funding has enabled athletes to train at world-class facilities, access top-level coaching, and compete in prestigious international events. The National Lottery has also played a crucial role in supporting the development of grassroots sports, providing funding for community sports clubs and initiatives.
“It will be exciting to see the inspirational impact of reaching this milestone and I look forward to watching the final few days of competition at what has been the most incredible summer of sport.” And it’s all down to The National Lottery shining a light on para sport, according to Hynd. “That inspiration is what the Paralympics is all about,” he said. “I’m obviously biased for swimming but some of the stories of these Paralympians are amazing. “It’s about giving people opportunities and allowing them to show what they can achieve. From what Sarah Storey has been able to achieve to Iona Winnifrith winning silver at 13-years-old.
“It’s been a great Games so far and I hope some of those stories shine through from that.” Thanks to National Lottery players our Olympic & Paralympic athletes are supported to live their dreams and make the nation proud. With more than £30M a week raised for Good Causes, The National Lottery has enabled Great Britain to become a global sporting force and has provided more opportunities for people inspired by our Olympic & Paralympic athletes to take part in sport. For details visit www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk