The governing bodies of 12 British sports "demanded an end to a funding policy that puts Olympic medals above all else," according to Paul MacInnes of the London GUARDIAN. Describing the current model as “divisive,” the bodies -- which include Badminton England and GB Wheelchair Rugby -- called on UK Sport to apply “at least a baseline level of funding” to all Olympic and Paralympic sports. In a letter, the 12 also "challenge UK Sport’s current consultation on future strategy." The letter said, "It seems designed to create fear that there will be a total collapse of the UK medal tally should the current funding model be meddled with." At Rio 2016, Team GB won 27 Gold Medals and finished second in the table. In so doing, it became the first country to improve its medal tally at five consecutive Games. This success has "accompanied a narrowing of funding." While 70% of Olympic and Paralympic sports were funded at London 2012, less than 50% are "expected to receive public money" before Tokyo 2020. None of the 12 bodies that signed the letter will be funded during that cycle (GUARDIAN, 6/14).
