BWL Secures Uk Sport Funding to Build On Olympic and Paralympic Success

British Weight Lifting (BWL) is proud to announce it has been awarded £5,600,000 from UK Sport for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games & Paralympic Games cycle, marking a strong and continued investment into the growth of Weightlifting and Para Powerlifting in Great Britain.

With an uplift of 52% from the Paris 2024 and a return to the World Class Programme, the funding of the Weightlifting programme rises to £3,450,000.  At the same time, Para Powerlifting retains its status as a World Class Programme and sees a 21% increase of funding to £2,150,000.

The news for BWL follows an incredible summer of sport which saw our lifters return from Paris 2024 with four medals in total across the Olympic and Paralympic Games – the same medal tally result for consecutive Olympic and Paralympic cycles.

BWL CEO Matthew Curtain said “This investment is a powerful statement of support for Weightlifting and Para Powerlifting. It ensures our athletes have the resources to focus on LA 2028 and highlights the importance of building a strong legacy for the future of our two sports. BWL fully acknowledges the partnership with UK Sport and Sport England, and we are hugely grateful for the unprecedented funding.”

Sally Munday, CEO of UK Sport, said “It’s thanks to the unwavering support of the UK Government and our wonderful National Lottery players that we are able to announce this historic investment today, towards continuing to create the greatest decade of extraordinary sporting moments.

“The past few years have been tough for our sports with the delayed Tokyo Games and shortened Paris cycle, and we know finances remain under extreme pressure. We have looked to relieve some of this pressure through our investment today, however we know we must continue to innovate and collaborate, together, to grow a thriving sporting system that’s fit for the future.

“Huge credit to the leaders in our sports for all the hard work they’ve done, with us, over the past 18 months to put us in this brilliant position to be able to say we are ready to win well in the LA cycle and beyond.”

Stephanie Peacock, Minister of Sport, Media, Civil Society and Youth said “As we saw this summer, the whole country comes together to support our Team GB and ParalympicsGB athletes and to celebrate their success. I am pleased that our record £9 million a year increase in funding for UK Sport means that more athletes will have the opportunity to go for gold in Los Angeles in 2028.

"As well as representing our country and providing enjoyment to the millions watching, our athletes also inspire people of all ages to get involved in sport in their own communities.”

For further information:

https://www.uksport.gov.uk/news/2024/12/16/greatest-investment-on-journey-to-la-2028