U.K. Pledges $319M for Olympic Success

United Kingdom prime minister is pledging $319 million to the British Olympic team after its success at the Tokyo Games.

Great Britain and Northern Ireland only took home 65 medals, but their winnings were spread across 25 different disciplines, “broader than any other country,” according to the U.K. government.

The U.S. won a total of 113 medals, China won 88, and the Russian Olympic Committee picked up 71.

The new funding is the latest way the U.K. has shown its commitment to sports and fitness.

• The U.K. government announced Tuesday it’s investing $464.2 million in transforming active travel via infrastructure upgrades to encourage walking and cycling.
• Next year, the country is set to host the Commonwealth Games — in which more than $1 billion has been invested. It will be the largest sporting event in London since the 2012 Olympic Games.

The $319 million figure marks a 43% increase on what was received leading up to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. The funds will go toward coaching athletes and scouting the next class of Olympians.

Chief executive of U.K. Sport Sally Munday said the funds are “crucial” for success at the 2024 Games in Paris.