Deadline extended to Power2Podium

While the London 2012 Olympic Games is fast approaching, the UK Talent Team (UK Sport and the English Institute of Sport (EIS)) already have their eye firmly on the hunt for medals at future summer and winter Olympic Games. Power2Podium is a campaign aimed at attracting athletes with speed and power into fast-track talent development programmes in the sports of athletics, sprint canoeing, sprint cycling, weightlifting, skeleton, bobsleigh and rugby sevens, who may contribute to the Great British medal haul in Rio in 2016 or Pyeongchang in 2018.

The campaign has attracted a great deal of interest and enthusiasm with some potentially high quality athletes from various sporting backgrounds already signing up. Now, due to the volume of applications showing no signs of slowing down, the deadline has been extended, with the online sign up form remaining accessible until 28 September at www.uksport.gov.uk/talent.

To date, there have been over 1000 applications from all corners of the UK, with a ratio of 1.5 male applicants to every one female. This shows improvement on the previous uptake from the female population to such campaigns, which has tended to be around 3:1. Uptake in Scotland, Wales and London has also increased, but the UK Talent Team is keen to see more applications from these areas, as they have proven to be hotbeds for uncovering talented athletes in past campaigns.

Natalie Dunman, Lead Talent Scientist for the EIS, said: "It is becoming increasingly difficult to win medals on the international stage, with more countries putting in more resources and increasing the level of competition worldwide.

"This campaign will help us boost our talent pool ahead of the next Olympic cycle, and be more proactive in the way we identify and develop elite talent.

"We’ve a proven track record of success through this approach; previous campaigns have produced 56 international medals at junior, U23 and senior level, including nine at World Championships, the ninth being won today at the Rowing World Championships by Helen Glover, who was discovered in 2007 through 'Sporting Giants'.

"So, if you’ve got speed, strength and power and think you might have what it takes to win medals for Great Britain, we want to hear from you."

The opportunity to apply to attend one of the six phase one assessment events that will take place across the UK in September and October remains open until 28 September. If you think you have what it takes don’t miss this once in a lifetime opportunity to be part of Britain’s Olympic ambitions. Sign up now at www.uksport.gov.uk/talent

Existing Power2Podium applicants will find out whether they have been selected for phase one testing in the coming week.

For more information, contact: jessica.whitehorn@uksport.gov.uk

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