Under the agreement, Camelot will become an official partner of ParalympicsGB and an official supporter of Team GB, with the aim of supporting team members at this summer’s rearranged Olympic Games and Paralympic Games.
The Games were originally due to take place in Tokyo, Japan last summer, but were postponed due to the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic. Organisers plan to run both events this summer.
Camelot will provide funding from National Lottery ticket sales to help finance Covid-19 safety measures required in order for athletes and Paralympians to take part in the Games.
These include hygiene technologies and a comprehensive testing programme for Team GB members, as well as lateral flow testing and Covid-secure transport for the ParalympicsGB team.
In addition, Camelot, Team GB and ParalympicsGB will help deliver an ‘Everyday Wellness’ programme for Camelot’s 1,000 employees, encouraging them to be happier, healthier and more balanced.
The new partnerships build on the National Lottery’s historic relationship with British Olympic and Paralympic sport, with the organisation having provided more than £2.8bn in funding since its launched in 1996.
“The support of Camelot is timely in ensuring that we’re able to maintain the world class environment for our athletes in Tokyo whilst incorporating the vital additional infrastructure to make sure our facilities are Covid-secure for our athletes and to allow them to reach the ‘start line’ in the best possible condition,” British Olympic Association chief executive Andy Anson said.
British Paralympic Association chief executive Mike Sharrock added: “Like so many organisations the Covid-19 pandemic has had a major impact on the British Paralympic Association and this partnership with Camelot will help ensure we can deliver world class preparation and Games time environments to empower our athletes to achieve their goals this summer.”
Camelot chief executive Nigel Railton also said: “Throughout the pandemic, the safety and wellbeing of our employees has been our number one priority – so it seems fitting that this partnership will not only help ensure that the nation’s athletes are met with Covid-secure environments as they prepare for the Games, but will also give our employees further opportunity to be at their best every day.”
Last year, the British Gambling Commission opened the tender process for the UK’s National Lottery licence. Camelot has confirmed to iGB that it has completed the Gambling Commission’s Selection Questionnaire, but has not revealed whether it will commit to bidding. It has held the licence since the lottery was created in 1994.
