British Swimming has submitted representations to UK Sport as part of an appeal process against the withdrawal of funding from the women’s Olympic sports of Synchronised Swimming and Water Polo.
"The representations we have made today to UK Sport demonstrate a compelling case that both Water Polo and Synchronised Swimming are medal potential sports,"
- David Sparkes
UK Sport announced the decision to cut funding, earlier this month, following the annual investment review of summer Olympic and Paralympic sports. Both sports have now provided performance evidence to UK Sport as to why these decisions should be reversed.
Commenting on the submissions, British Swimming Chief Executive David Sparkes said: “The representations we have made today to UK Sport demonstrate a compelling case that both Water Polo and Synchronised Swimming are medal potential sports.
“We feel confident these submissions, coupled with Minister for Sport and Tourism Helen Grant MP’s call for more sports that inspire women to engage in sport, will convince the UK Sport Board to commit to funding these sports going forward.”
The opportunity to meet with UK Sport on 10 March begins a process that could also involve a formal appeal.
Sports are first able to reaffirm their case for funding through a performance assessment of their potential to perform in Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020. In the event these representations are unsuccessful British Swimming will consider a formal appeal through Sport Resolutions UK.