2007-2012 Events
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Key Statistics
70
The number of major events targeted to be staged as part of the Gold Event Series£27 million
National Lottery funding invested in bidding for and hosting these events2.5 million
Estimated number of live spectators who will watch these events25,000
Officials and volunteers who will gain event experience through the Gold Event Series£287 million
Additional spend in cities and regions when they are hosting these events
Ahead of London 2012, UK Sport's primary objective was to stage events that directly supported our athletes in their preparations for London. Home Advantage research led by UK Sport showed that the performance gain from staging major events can be significant, with the hosts of World Championships receiving an average 25% uplift in their results.
UK Sport's secondary objective prior to 2012 was to work with the NGBs to develop expertise within the UK’s ‘event-staging system’. Through major events, key staff, officials and volunteers received essential training, skills and experience in the run up to London 2012 and Glasgow 2014.
And of course for the public, there was the opportunity to see the world’s leading Olympic and Paralympic stars in action. UK Sport wanted to ensure that people didn’t have to wait until 2012 to see the world’s best Olympic and Paralympic stars on their own doorstep. Lead-in events took place in 35 towns and cities across the UK, and from as far and wide as Weymouth and Aberdeen, Hereford and Nottingham, reflecting the nationwide focus of the programme.
UK Sport’s Pre-Games Events Programme (2007-2013) brought 118 World and European level sporting events to the UK to help prepare for London 2012 and were hosted in 41 out of 46 Olympic and Paralympic sports. These events helped our athletes prepare for a home Games and built capacity in our sporting system. Approximately £21m was invested through the National Lottery into this programme to ensure that 30,000 elite international athletes could compete, and 27,000 international-level officiating and volunteering opportunities could be created.
2007-2012 Event list [PDF, 161k]