The performance advantage of an innovative approach to both technique and equipment is well illustrated. Dick Fosbury in the high jump and Graham Obree in cycling are just two of the more well known examples. Now the challenge is on to look at ways that British innovators can help us in our quest for medal success.

The UK Sport Research & Innovation team goal, supported in delivery by the EIS, is to maximise performance gains in securing medals through an innovative approach to delivering performance solutions. The team works with those across the board with a passion for innovation – harnessing the best of British expertise from the academic, industrial and commercial sectors.

The programme is focussed on bringing external expertise into the UK sporting system, building on existing skills, knowledge and competencies already there to help supplement and solve specialist performance needs. These needs may relate to the following priorities:

Athlete equipment and accessories

Coaching techniques

Training science

Medical management

Though to retain a competitive advantage over our competitors, much of the work done by the team does not enter the public domain. Innovation is a world where it pays to be secretive because any advances in technology or technique could make the difference between ‘the best’ and ‘the rest’.