BOA PROPOSE AN INTEGRATED APPROACH TO SERVICE OLYMPIC ATHLETES

BOA Press Release - 17.06.09

The British Olympic Association (BOA) is proposing to work more closely with the National Governing Bodies of Olympic sports, and with the Home Country Sports Institutes – especially the English Institute of Sport (EIS), to provide a more streamlined and seamless service to athletes.

This comes as the result of a comprehensive review and evaluation of the sport science and medical services that the BOA provides to Olympic sports and their athletes as well as what can be accessed within the existing system.

The proposal sees the renamed British Olympic Medical Institute continuing its services in collaboration with world leading experts:

• Intensive Rehabilitation Unit: This would be provided in partnership with the EIS, servicing Olympic athletes from all sports and home nations. The intensive rehabilitation service would be hosted at the EIS’s centre at Bisham Abbey (pictured).

• Sports Science Research Unit: in partnership with a leading university in central London.

• Clinical Services: in partnership with the EIS, clinical services, such as medical diagnostics and treatment, would be carried out through a EIS base in central London.

It is intended that a small BOA core team will continue to be based at the BOA’s office with the flexibility to work from EIS sites or in the field. This team would focus on medical and sport science support for Team GB at International Olympic Committee (IOC) accredited events (e.g. summer, winter and youth Olympic Games). The BOA core team will also work alongside the existing support of the Home Country Sports Institutes with regards to the medical and sport science preparation carried out in the run-up to Olympic events for Team GB.

It is proposed that the changes will be completed by the end of 2009 and that the BOA would leave its current location at Northwick Park when the lease expires later this year.

Said BOA Chairman Colin Moynihan:

“We are proud of the excellent standard of medical and sport science support we provide for our athletes, and we know it means a great deal to them and their sports.

“At the heart of the proposed new structure is the intention to provide our National Governing Bodies and their athletes a continued world-class support service during their preparation for and participation at Olympic events. The current proposal makes sure that we develop our service in a way that adds value to our athletes and is fully integrated with the services provided by the sports themselves and the Home Country Sports Institutes.”

BOA Chief Medical Officer Dr. Ian McCurdie commented:

 “Within the new proposed structure we would continue to take a lead, along with our partners, in the provision of medical and sports science support for Team GB. We would not, however, continue to be a first port of call for medical services on a day to day basis. Instead, we would work in partnership with other experts, such as the English Institute of Sport, to ensure the delivery of high-quality medical services to the sports and athletes.”

Added EIS Regional Director (South) Richard Parker:

“This is an excellent opportunity to show the EIS working in partnership with the BOA to provide a seamless pathway of support throughout the Olympic cycle. We look forward to welcoming the BOA to the EIS site at Bisham and working together to provide all National Governing Bodies across Team GB with a world class intensive rehabilitation centre and a medical centre in London.”

Di Ellis, Executive Chairman of GB Rowing, said:

“Rowing has benefited hugely from the BOA’s medical and sports science services in the past. We hope that this exciting proposal will enable us and other Olympic sports to tap into even more expertise that would be available through the new suggested structure.”