With under six months until the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games, National Lottery operator, Camelot, has thrown its support behind Team GB and ParalympicsGB in the build-up to two of the world’s most globally recognised sporting events.
The National Lottery has always been a fantastic supporter of Olympic and Paralympic sport and now its operator, Camelot, will play a key role in helping to ensure athletes arrive at the biggest sporting moment of their lives in the best possible shape.
Team GB and ParalympicsGB have undertaken a comprehensive review of their operations following the March 2020 postponement to ensure athletes are met with Covid-secure environments to prepare for the Games – and Camelot’s vital support will play a key role in making this happen.
The Team GB investment will cover a range of Covid mitigation measures, from cutting-edge hygiene technology to a comprehensive testing programme, which aims to protect the Team GB delegation prior to and during the Games. For ParalympicsGB the investment will deliver safeguards including lateral flow testing across all prep camps, the Athlete Village and out-of-village locations, as well as Covid-secure transport and dining at athletes’ pre-Games camps in Tokyo. Every detail has been considered before the teams arrive in Tokyo.
This latest announcement will see Camelot become an official partner of ParalympicsGB and an official supporter of Team GB. It will continue a relationship which has seen The National Lottery provide life-changing support to Olympic and Paralympic athletes every time that players buy a National Lottery ticket.
Since National Lottery funding for elite sport began in 1996, over £2.8 billion has been invested in supporting British Olympic and Paralympic sport. These funds, distributed by UK Sport, are fundamental to the success of athletes and sports at Games time, and have helped Team GB and ParalympicsGB establish themselves among the best countries in the world.
At Rio 2016, Team GB finished second in the medal table securing 67 medals and surpassing the total number won in London four years previously. ParalympicsGB also enjoyed huge success too, winning an incredible 147 medals, 64 of them gold, to also finish second in the medal table.
On top of this, The National Lottery contributed up to £2.2 billion towards the cost of the London 2012 Games, with Camelot achieving its target of raising £750 million towards this sum from sales of specially-designated lottery games ahead of schedule.
As part of the collaboration with Camelot, Team GB and ParalympicsGB will help deliver a programme - called ‘Everyday Wellness’ - for Camelot’s 1,000 employees and help them be their best: happier, healthier and more balanced.
In a very difficult year for society throughout the UK and the wider world, people have been pushed to their limits on various fronts and this innovative programme will enhance the activities Camelot already carries out in recognising the importance, value and wellbeing of its staff.
Camelot CEO, Nigel Railton, said:
"We’re delighted to support TeamGB and ParalympicsGB during what has been an extraordinary period for the whole of the UK. Throughout the pandemic, the safety and wellbeing of our employees has been our number one priority – so it seems fitting that this partnership will not only help ensure that the nation’s athletes are met with Covid-secure environments as they prepare for the Games, but will also give our employees further opportunity to be at their best every day."
British Olympic Association CEO, Andy Anson, said: "The nation has been heavily impacted during the last 12 months and the Tokyo Games provide an amazing opportunity to generate a positive message.
"The support of Camelot is timely in ensuring that we’re able to maintain the world class environment for our athletes in Tokyo whilst incorporating the vital additional infrastructure to make sure our facilities are Covid-secure for our athletes and to allow them to reach the ‘start line’ in the best possible condition.
"We’re also excited to work with Camelot and their staff on our innovative wellness programme and share the lessons learned from the success of Team GB."
British Paralympic Association CEO, Mike Sharrock, said:
"Like so many organisations the Covid-19 pandemic has had a major impact on the British Paralympic Association and this partnership with Camelot will help ensure we can deliver world class preparation and Games time environments to empower our athletes to achieve their goals this summer.
"Tokyo 2020 is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the resilience of the human spirit and we are confident ParalympicsGB can help unite and inspire the nation once again."
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