BOA Statement: Snowsport GB

FEB 5, 2010--It is with disappointment that the British Olympic Association (BOA) has learnt today that one of its member governing bodies, Snowsport GB, has been placed into administration.

With the overall concern for Team GB’s skiers and snowboarders preparing for the competition of their lives at the Winter Olympics in Vancouver, the BOA will immediately put in place a contingency plan to ensure that the interests of the athletes are protected.

The BOA will make sure that the 14 skiers and snowboarders selected to represent Team GB can attend the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games. In addition the BOA will ensure that the athletes and their accredited coaches and support personnel have the resources and logistical support necessary to compete at their highest level in Vancouver. The BOA would like to thank all individuals and funding partners for their additional support to our athletes.

In order to do this, the International Ski Federation (FIS) has endorsed the BOA’s move to mobilise a current dormant subsidiary company, “Team GB Ltd”, to act as the National Governing Body for Ski and Snowboarding.

In this capacity, Team GB Ltd will trade under the name of BSS (British Ski and Snowboarding) and will ensure that FIS registration and FIS race entries continue for all accredited athletes without undue disruption.

After the Vancouver Games, the BSS will initiate a full consultation process to determine how the skiers, snowboarders and all interested parties wish to see the governing body for the sport functioning once the BOA’s subsidiary has fulfilled its role in bridging the gap for the sport in this perilous time.

The BOA intends that hereafter, as its top priority, the governing body will be independent and athlete-focused, providing services to the best children, juniors and senior British alpine skiers, cross-country skiers, freestyle skiers and snowboarders in the country, and the organisation will be capable of successfully fulfilling its mandate, with a strong foundation and state-of-the-art governance structure.

Colin Moynihan, BOA Chairman

“The BOA’s role is to provide services for its member sports and represent the interests of the athletes. It is with great regret that one of our governing bodies has gone into administration, particularly at such a critical time for our Olympic Team. The National Olympic Committee has immediately sought to implement a solution to this dilemma. The athletes and coaches can rest assured that we will work around the clock to support them and help ensure that those involved in the sport can find the best possible structure for it going forward.”

Zoe Gillings

"It's been a difficult time for a lot of snowsport athletes, and I'm very hopeful that this will be a very positive step forward for skiers and snowboarders alike. With the Olympic Winter Games just around the corner, this is welcome good news."

Notes to Editors.

The Board of Team GB Ltd comprises Colin Moynihan (Chairman), Dave Edwards (CEO), Andy Hunt. Further appointments to the BSS Board will be made to broaden representation from the athletes themselves and the sports of freestyle skiing, snowboarding, alpine skiing and cross country skiing

The British Olympic Association (BOA) is the National Olympic Committee for Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Its mission is to transform British lives through the power of the Olympic values and the success of Team GB. The BOA’s role is to prepare the ‘Best of British’ athletes for, and lead them at, the summer, winter and youth Olympic Games. The BOA delivers extensive support services to Britain’s Olympic athletes and their National Governing Bodies to enhance Olympic success and is responsible for championing the Olympic values and brand in the UK. For further information, go to: www.olympics.org.ukYour complete source of news about the Olympics is www.aroundtherings.com, for subscribers only.