The week starting on Monday 23rd January 2006 marks 200 days since the official announcement  of the successful London 2012 Olympic Bid.

We, at British Gymnastics, as all the nation, are thrilled about this unique opportunity to raise the standards of the sport in both our country and worldwide.

However, whilst the contracts to start building numerous Olympic facilities have already been raised, nothing has been done to support the preparation of our athletes for the greatest event on earth in 6 years time.

So far, we have not received any additional funding aimed at the long-term preparation of our athletes for the London 2012 Olympic Games, especially in those Olympic disciplines that are not funded.

In many sports, including Gymnastics, bringing a talent to the rostrum is a long, sophisticated process. Shall we leave our talent’s preparation in jeopardy?

Notes for the Editor

Brian Stocks is one of the most significant figures in the British and the International family of Gymnastics.

He is a Member of the Council of the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG); Member of the Executive Committee of the British Olympic Association (BOA) and a Directors Board member of the Central Council for Physical Recreation (CCPR). 

Brian Stocks was Director of Sport for the Commonwealth Games held in Manchester in 2002 and Chief Operating Officer for the World Indoor Championships in Athletics 2003.

He is currently employed as Head of Sport and International Events within the Local Services Directorate of Birmingham City Council.

For more inforamtion please contact:

Vera Atkinson
British Gymnastics
Media & PR
Direct tel: +44 01 952 822 338
Fax:         +44 01 952 820 589
Mobile:     +44 077 395 121 86
Email:      Vera.A@british-gymnastics.org
Website:  http://www.british-gymnastics.org/