Dame Katherine Grainger: UK Sport chair 'frustrated' Britain not hosting more events

Dame Katherine Grainger, the outgoing chair of UK Sport, has expressed her "frustration" that Britain has failed to secure more major events in the next decade, warning of a "huge gap." She emphasized that this could impact public investment, the nation's reputation, and opportunities for athletes, potentially hindering future sporting success.

The former Olympic rowing champion is stepping down after eight years as the head of the organization responsible for Olympic and Paralympic sport. UK Sport not only funds elite athletes but also works to secure bids for and host world-class events in the UK. Dame Grainger stated that Britain has a strong reputation in this area, but faces challenges in the future, requiring proactive strategies.

While the UK has secured some events, such as this year's Women's Rugby World Cup in England, the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and the European Athletics Championships in Birmingham, the Grand Depart of the 2027 Tour de France, and the joint UK and Ireland bid for the 2028 Men's European Football Championships, Dame Grainger believes there is a lack of clear plans for major events beyond 2028.

Dame Grainger stated, "We don't want to have a fallow period. We've actually got nothing secured beyond 2028, which is quite a gap." She emphasized that hosting major events is crucial for the nation but that its importance may not be fully appreciated. She called for greater financial support from the government to secure Britain's position in international sport and maintain continued focus on British sporting endeavors.

Despite UK Sport receiving a record £330 million in government funding to support athletes in their pursuit of medals at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, the organization is seeking more financial support to bid for major events. Dame Grainger noted that successful bids require years of work and highlighted potential targets such as the 2029 World Athletics Championships, the 2030 Solheim Cup, and the 2031 Ryder Cup. She also indicated that there could be "really good conversations" about the Special Olympics for people with intellectual disabilities, an event not currently funded by UK Sport and never hosted in the UK.

Dame Grainger joined UK Sport in 2017, at a time when the UK's high-performance system and its "no compromise" approach, linked to medal potential, were under scrutiny, and a series of athlete welfare controversies had emerged. She insisted that the organization has since invested "huge amounts of money to make sure it is as safe, nurturing and supportive a place as possible." She added that the organization ensures athletes have a voice and are heard, that their value is recognized, and that remarkable results have been achieved at both the Summer and Winter Olympics.

Under Dame Grainger's leadership, UK Sport has stated its commitment to winning "the right way" and has focused funding for sports on a longer-term, 12-year medal potential, aiming for success across a wider range of sports. The organization has also established "cultural health checks" to strengthen duty of care, provided more funding to the British Elite Athletes Association, and insisted that funded sports appoint a board director to lead welfare and safety work.

Dame Grainger is stepping down and will become the first female chair of the British Olympic Association. She stated that Kirsty Coventry's election as the first female president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) is "huge." She added that it shows the IOC is open to change for the future and looks forward to the new changes Coventry will bring. Dame Grainger also expressed her "surprise" that UK candidate Lord Sebastian Coe received only eight votes in the election, signaling a potential shift in international sporting politics.