Our Role
The British Olympic Association’s (BOA) mission is to transform British lives through the power of the Olympic values and the success of Team GB.
The BOA’s principal role is to prepare and lead our nation’s finest athletes at the summer, winter and youth Olympic Games. Working with the National Governing Bodies, the BOA selects Team GB from the best sportsmen and women who will go on to compete in the 28 summer and 7 winter Olympic sports at the greatest sporting competition in the world.
The BOA is independent and privately funded. We receive no funding from the lottery or government and have no political interests. The success of our mission is entirely dependent upon the income we receive from our fundraising and events. The BOA is the strong, independent voice for British Olympic Sport and is responsible for promoting the Olympic Movement throughout the UK.
About Us
The British Olympic Association (BOA) is the National Olympic Committee (NOC) for Great Britain and Northern Ireland. It was formed in 1905 in the House of Commons, and at that time consisted of seven National Governing Body members from the following sports: fencing, life-saving, cycling, skating, rowing, athletics, rugby, football and archery. The BOA now includes as its members the thirty-three National Governing Bodies of each Olympic sport, both summer and winter.
Great Britain is one of only five countries which has been represented at the summer Olympic Games since 1896. Great Britain, France and Switzerland are the only countries to have been present at all Olympic Winter Games. Great Britain has also played host to two Olympic Games in London: in 1908 and 1948. In 2005, London was selected as the host city for the 2012 Olympic Games.
The BOA is one of 204 NOCs currently recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The IOC’s role is to lead the promotion of Olympism in accordance with the Olympic Charter. The Charter details the philosophy, aims and traditions of the Olympic Movement. The IOC co-opts and elects its members from among such persons as it considers qualified. Members of the IOC are its representatives in their respective countries and not delegates of their countries within the IOC.
A member of each of the Olympic sports makes up the National Olympic Committee (NOC), the BOA's decision and policy-ratifying body. The NOC elects four officers: a President, Chairman and two Vice-Chairman, each for a four year term. Six sports representatives are also elected to the Board.
