British athletes taking time out to work with sponsors in the run-up to next year’s Rio Olympics is not a “big concern” for the sport’s governing body as there is now a more open relationship between coaches, athletes and sponsors, according to UK Athletics Performance Dir Neil Black. While athletes working with sponsors is now an established part of the athletics landscape, there has been criticism that some British athletes have dedicated too much time in developing their commercial activities at the expense of training. Olympic long-jumping champion Greg Rutherford, who has been involved in a very public spat with UK Athletics, is one who has been criticized for making too many personal appearances.
NO DISTRACTION: Black said that he had no concerns that British track and field stars were being distracted by commercial undertakings. Black said, “It’s not a big concern. Over the years we have become more and more comfortable with addressing it as part of the athlete planning. Athletes, coaches and their sponsors have become more open and comfortable with engaging in conversation around what are all of our collective aspirations and interests and aims. And I think we have become much better in sharing those responsibilities in open conversation.” Black made the comment as UK Athletics unveiled its world class performance funding program for '15-16.
LOTTERY WINNERS: UK Athletics selects National Lottery-backed funding for athletes based on their potential to win medals at the Olympics or Paralympics. The funding is split between two levels: "podium" athletes who are viewed as medal hopes at Rio 2016; and "podium potential," those developing toward Tokyo 2020. Black said, “2015 was an excellent year for the British Athletics teams at both the IAAF and IPC World Championships, in Beijing and Doha, respectively, and I am confident those we have invited into the 2015-16 WCPP will build on the foundation and successes achieved over the last 12 months.” London 2012 Gold Medalists Mo Farah, Jessica Ennis-Hill and Rutherford, along with former 400m hurdles world champion Dai Greene are among the 21 athletes picked for the podium programs.
John Reynolds is a writer in London.
