Tensions have escalated within British elite sport following the establishment of Sport Org, a new entity created by UK Sport that has sparked fears of an “all-out war” with established governing bodies. While Sport Org initially evolved from British Curling to manage curling, para-curling, para table tennis, and squash, its expanding mandate now includes bobsleigh and skeleton from 2030. The most contentious move involves UK Sport’s plan to transfer GB Snowsport’s high-performance programme to Sport Org, which would control £12.5m in lottery funding ahead of the 2030 Winter Olympics.
UK Sport’s new body triggers backlash as it targets £12.5m Snowsport budget
GB Snowsport, which delivered two of Team GB’s five gold medals at the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, strongly opposes the transfer, insisting it must retain control of its elite operations. The conflict has created significant disquiet among leaders who have driven Britain’s Olympic and Paralympic successes over the last two decades. The Guardian reveals that the confusion surrounding Sport Org’s scope has been so severe that UK Sport chief executive Sally Munday was forced to intervene directly to clarify the organization’s boundaries and address the growing speculation among stakeholders.
This power struggle highlights a fundamental shift in how UK Sport manages high-performance funding and governance. By centralizing control over multiple disciplines under Sport Org, UK Sport aims to streamline operations, but critics argue it undermines the autonomy of successful national governing bodies. The situation leaves key winter sports in a state of flux, with athletes and coaches facing uncertainty over their future support structures as the 2030 cycle approaches.
Source: The Guardian Sport
