National Lottery Joins as Event Partner of the Sainsbury’s Anniversary Games

British Athletics has announced that The National Lottery will be the Event Partner for the Sainsbury’s Anniversary Games in July.

The Sainsbury’s Anniversary Games will be held at The Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park on 26-28 July and will see some of the world’s best athletes in action as Olympic and Paralympic champions compete in the two-day IAAF Diamond League and a one-day IPC International Challenge. 

The National Lottery’s support of the UK Sport World Class Performance Programme for more than 15 years has been an integral part of the success of British athletics, advice giving athletes access to the best coaches, facilities and support services in the world as they prepare for major championships. 

As well as British Athletics benefiting from a record level of National Lottery funding delivered through UK Sport, both parties will work in partnership to ensure that British athletes maximise the support of the lottery-playing public in Rio 2016 and London 2017. 

Camelot Managing Director Andy Duncan said: “We’re delighted to be partnering with British Athletics for this event that celebrates the anniversary of the Games and to be able to recognise the unique role that National Lottery players had in supporting London 2012, where nine out of 10 of Great Britain’s medallists benefited from lottery support. With British Athletics set to receive a record level of National Lottery funding through to 2017, as part of a £37m UK Sport funding package, we look forward to an exciting ongoing collaboration on the road to Rio and the World Championships in London in 2017.” 

UK Athletics Chair, Ed Warner said: “We are excited that The National Lottery will be partnering with us on the Sainsbury’s Anniversary Games and it is entirely appropriate that the event will offer an opportunity to recognise the unique role of lottery players in delivering an incredible summer of sport last year. Beyond that, athletics has never been so well supported as it is now through the lottery-buying public and we look forward to ensuring that investment is recognised over the coming years, through our long term partnership. 

“As Event Partner to the Sainsbury’s Anniversary Games and ongoing supporter to British Athletics over the next four years, once again they are benefiting our World Class Performance Programme athletes and, by helping support major events in the UK, they are going that extra mile to ensure our athletes have the best possible preparations for major Championships.”