How can £500 make a difference?

"The British Olympic Association is delighted to be working alongside Atos Origin, one of its committed sponsors, on this initiative to support talented young athletes who are the future of Team GB"

Simon Clegg, Chief Executive of the British Olympic Association.

In October 2005, Atos Origin, in partnership with the British Olympic Association, launched the Olympic Champions and Challengers bursary programme. Seven Olympic 'Champions' were identified and asked to nominate, with the relevant sports governing body, a young athlete from their own sport who they felt had the potential to represent Team GB in 2012 or beyond.

As a result of the support from Atos Origin and other partners, the programme offers this pool of young sporting talent, tangible and long term support. Each Challenger is guaranteed a bursary fund in each year from 2006-2012.  Any individual, company or organisation has the opportunity to boost the support on offer by becoming a bursary partner (minimum commitment £500 per year through to 2012) or even by just making a donation. All of the Bursary Funds will be ring-fenced in the name of each Challenger and be made available to support their requirements in areas of coaching support, equipment, travel, training expenses or medical back up. Any support offered, can be earmarked to the Challenger of choice or shared equally amongst the group.

Since the bursary scheme was launched in October 2005 our Challengers have continued to demonstrate why their talent and commitment has the potential to take them to the top of their respective sports.

Francesca Halsall - 2 x Silver medals, medley relay team and freestyle relay team, 2006 Commonwealth Games, runner up to BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year 2005

Nick Woodbridge - Bronze medal, Modern Pentathlon, World Cup - Acapulco.
This is the first time in 13 years that a medal has been awarded to a British competitor in the Senior Male Group

• Harry Aikines-Aryeetey - voted BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year 2005, and won Gold at the IAAF World Junior Championships in Beijing
  
  

• Charlotte Dobson - achieved 2nd place in the Womens' Laser Radial European Open Championships
  
  
• Francesca Halsall - Fran medalled at the Commonwealth Games and won a Gold medal in the Women's 4 x 100m relay at the European Swimming Championships
  
  
• Andy Tennant - part of the GB team that won a Bronze medal at the 2006 World Cup event, Sydney
  
  
• Jan-Michael Kochalski - Winner of FIS race in St Lampbrecht, Austria
  
  
• Sam Scott - won a Gold Medal at the 2006 UK Schools Championship and claimed a new British, European and World Record
  
  
• Nick Woodbridge - Bronze medal, Modern Pentathlon, World Cup - Acapulco. This is the first time in 13 years that a medal has been awarded to a British competitor in the Senior Male Group

In addition, some of our challengers have already benefited directly from Olympic Champions and Challengers funding, with Harry Aikines-Aryeetey attending warm weather training in the US and Charlotte Dobson is planning one-to-one coaching at training and regatta events later this year.

Further information about the scheme can be obtained from:

Sheryn Moore at Atos Origin
sheryn.moore@atosorigin.com

Pete Rhodes at the British Olympic Association
Pete.Rhodes@boa.org.uk