Athletics In The Uk Essay Example
Athletics In The Uk Essay Example

Athletics In The Uk Essay Example

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  • Pages: 3 (732 words)
  • Published: July 14, 2017
  • Type: Essay
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This assignment focuses on athletics in the UK, from grassroots to national level, following London's successful bid for the 2012 Olympic games. The aim is to evaluate the processes of identifying and nurturing young talent to reach Olympic standards. Numerous development schemes exist in the UK to engage local youth in athletics.

UK athletics (UKA) runs various schemes, such as the Norwich Union shine:awards, which allow children to participate in athletics and measure their progress through different dynamic awards. Norwich Union star:track offers year-round coaching programs for children aged 8 to 15, providing them an opportunity to develop and improve their skills. This scheme introduces children to athletics and enables them to explore different ways of getting involved in the sport. Once they have completed introductory courses, they can continue their involvement by joining a local athletics club. These clu

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bs serve as the foundation for grass roots development, allowing athletes to continue enjoying running, jumping, and throwing even after the holiday season. By becoming a member of an athletics club, athletes have access to various opportunities such as gaining experience and competing in league and open competitions on behalf of the club.As athletes advance in their training and meet UKA standards, they may qualify for county competitions. If they demonstrate national or international potential, they may be invited to attend UKA-funded regional and national squad days. These specialized squad days provide higher qualified coaching to further develop their athletic abilities in specific areas of athletics.

The events in this athletic program teach participants skills in jumps, throws, sprints, and hurdles. Additionally, they provide education in various areas including nutrition and offer physio treatment on the even

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day. Local businesses or clothing brands can sponsor elite athletes.

Nike, Adidas, Asics, and other brands choose to sponsor elite athletes because they can promote their products through television and large events. Although athletics does not generate as much money as sports like football, athletes who have the potential to win medals on the world stage or have already done so may receive financial support from the national lottery grant. Additional agencies such as lottery funding allow athletes to dedicate themselves to full-time training without having to rely on employment, giving them the best chance to reach their potential. In England, the Awards for All program grants funds ranging from ?300 to ?10,000 for art, sport, heritage, community activities, and projects that promote education, environment, and health in the local community. At the elite level of sports, there are also cash prizes available in major competitions. Breaking a world record can earn an athlete $50,000 each time it is achieved.

Competitions like AAAs and the BUSA (British universities sport association) provide financial rewards in the form of prize money for medal winners and top 6 athletes respectively. As a result, these incentives motivate athletes to put in more effort into their training, knowing they can earn money from it. Moreover, the sport of athletics offers numerous opportunities for disabled participants.

There is a parallel world participation for elite disabled athletes, with the Paralympics serving as the disabled equivalent of the Olympics. Athletes compete in six categories, including wheelchair, vision impaired, les autres, amputee, cerebral palsy, and intellectual disability. Specialized venues, like Stoke Manderville Stadium, cater to all disabilities and host similar courses for the disabled. In athletics,

the provision for male and female competitors at a grassroots level is entirely equal, with no divide throughout the sport. All events are open to both males and females, as well as boys and girls. However, at an elite level, there are minimal differences. Male athletes race over hurdles set at a higher height and longer distance, while the throwing implements are heavier for men. Women compete in heptathlon, while men do the decathlon. The sport of athletics would benefit from more attention and modernization of grassroots development. Many talented young athletes are lost to other sports like football or rugby at a young age when they should be encouraged to stay in athletics, where they could ultimately achieve more success. Additionally, more televised events should be broadcast in athletics to promote the sport and make it more appealing to be involved in.I firmly believe that by increasing funding for the sport at all levels, from grassroots to national elite level, we can improve our athletes' performance. This would give Great Britain its greatest chance of success in the London 2012 Olympics.

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