Dame Katherine Grainger, Chair of UK Sport, expressed her immense pride in the performance of British athletes at the Paris Olympics, highlighting the hard work and dedication that led them to the top of their sport. She celebrated their contribution to Great Britain’s ongoing Olympic success, a story marked by consistent excellence in the era funded by The National Lottery.
Grainger emphasized the inspiration these athletes have provided to the nation, and while the Olympic events have concluded, she is eager to see how these athletes will leverage their platforms to positively impact society. She underscored the unifying power of sport and noted that many athletes are eager to engage more deeply in their communities through the ChangeMaker initiative launching next week.
Grainger also expressed her anticipation for the upcoming Paralympic Games in Paris, confident that the success of Team GB will energize ParalympicsGB athletes.
Reflecting on the highlights of the Games, Dr. Kate Baker, UK Sport’s Director of Performance, noted the impressive achievement of winning over 60 medals for the fourth consecutive Games—a feat matched only by the US and China. She credited the athletes' success to the robust support system provided by the high-performance community, long-term funding from the government, and The National Lottery, which has allowed for strategic planning, talent development, and the retention of world-class coaches and practitioners.
Baker celebrated the diversity of sports represented and the significant milestones achieved by Team GB, with medals won across 18 different sports. She highlighted the inspiring performances over the 16 days, including those of nine mothers competing for Team GB, seven of whom secured medals, marking a pivotal moment for women’s sport.
She also praised the historic achievements in diving, with Yasmin Harper and Scarlett Mew Jensen earning the first female diving medal since 1960, and the Artistic Swimming duo Isabelle Thorpe and Kate Shortman securing the first-ever medal in their discipline. Baker acknowledged the strong performances in traditional sports like cycling, athletics, equestrian events, and rowing, as well as the mix of seasoned athletes and emerging talent who brought home medals.
Baker also paid tribute to the behind-the-scenes contributors—coaches, medical teams, and support staff—whose efforts have been crucial to the athletes’ success. As attention shifts to the upcoming Paralympic Games and future Olympic endeavors in Los Angeles 2028, she expressed optimism about the continued brilliance of British Olympic sport.