Biggest boost for climbing as UK Sport ups funding

Climbing is the biggest winner among a number of sports benefiting from millions of pounds of additional funding as UK Sport bids to boost Britain's medal hopes at the 2028 Los Angeles Games.

In recognition of its medal potential, the sport has been handed an extra £1.4m, an increase of more than 60%.

It will enable eight athletes to be added to an expanded performance programme and preparation for new events before the next Paralympics and Olympics, which will feature three climbing medal categories for the first time.

Toby Roberts won gold - Great Britain's first medal in sport climbing at an Olympics - in the boulder and lead event at Paris 2024, at the age of 19.

Since the triumph, there has been a surge in participation in the sport in Britain, with the Pro Climbing League launched earlier this year.

Climbing is one of 16 sports benefiting from £4m of additional funding that UK Sport is distributing after an annual review.

The agency says the money will play "a critical part in enabling British athletes to deliver their best performances in the USA in two years' time…[and is] essential to ensuring Britain can continue to compete at the top table of Olympic and Paralympic sport".

It is investing a total of almost £334m for the whole LA 2028 cycle, across both Olympic and Paralympic sports.

Canoeing (£163,825) and Para-canoeing (£112,000) will also receive uplifts to support adaptation to changes in qualification rules.

Lacrosse, which will make its Olympic debut at LA 2028, will receive a £201,600 uplift as it prepares for inclusion on the programme.

Other sports to benefit include visually impaired judo, table tennis, surfing and wheelchair fencing.

Dr Laura Needham, performance director at the British Mountaineering Council, said: "As the sport continues to evolve towards LA 2028, this funding also allows us to expand the wider support services around our athletes, including psychology, nutrition, physiotherapy and medical provision.

"Bringing these elements together is vital to ensuring the GB Climbing team can maximise their potential and continue to progress on the world stage."

Kate Baker, director of performance at UK Sport, said: "This uplift comes at a crucial point in the LA 2028 cycle and is critical to our collective efforts to help British athletes perform at their best when it matters most.

"By investing early, whether backing emerging medal opportunities, responding to changes in competition structures or preparing for new Olympic sports, we are strengthening our competitive edge on the world stage."