VOTING OPENS TO FIND THE UK’S NATIONAL LOTTERY ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
8th August 2018
UK WIDE MEDIA RELEASE
VOTING OPENS TO FIND THE UK’S NATIONAL LOTTERY ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
Seven top UK athletes are competing for public votes after reaching the finals of this year’s National Lottery Awards – the annual search to find the UK’s favourite Lottery-funded athlete and projects.
Since National Lottery funding for Olympic and Paralympic sport started in 1997, British athletes have won an incredible 860 medals.
The brand new ‘Athlete of the Year’ category provides a golden opportunity to celebrate the remarkable achievements of the UK’s world class National Lottery funded athletes, whilst demonstrating the impact National Lottery players have on elite sport.
The seven shortlisted athletes beat off stiff competition from a longlist of 120 other worthy contenders to reach the public voting stage in this year’s National Lottery Awards. The seven finalists were selected by the judging panel for their sporting achievements, passion for their sport and ability to inspire others.
The seven super athletes shortlisted in this year’s National Lottery Awards are:
Alex Danson, Hockey, England and Great Britain
Emma Wiggs, Para Canoe, Great Britain
Lizzy Yarnold, Skeleton, Great Britain
Mahama Cho, Taekwondo, Great Britain
Duncan Scott, Swimming, Scotland and Great Britain
Katie Archibald, Cycling, Scotland and Great Britain
Menna Fitzpatrick and Jennifer Kehoe, Para Skiing, Great Britain
The public vote will decide which athlete is crowned champion and receive a £5,000 cash prize to award to a National Lottery funded project of their choice. The victorious athlete will also receive an iconic National Lottery Awards trophy and attend a star-studded glitzy awards ceremony to be broadcast on BBC One on 26 September 2018.
Throwing her support behind all the athletes, UK Sport Chair and Olympic Rowing Gold medallist, Dame Katherine Grainger, said: “National Lottery funding enables athletes to train full time, access to some of the best coaching and facilities in the world and realise their dreams. These athletes are not only sporting heroes, but role models who encourage people of all ages and abilities to actively pursue their passions. Please get voting and show your support for these inspirational athletes who have reached the finals of this year’s National Lottery Awards.”
Tracey Crouch, Minister for Sport and Civil Society, said:
"For more than twenty years, National Lottery funding has helped support the successful careers of our sporting heroes - past and present, providing world-class training that has taken them to medal podiums across the globe.
"I want to thank National Lottery players for supporting our elite athletes, who continue to inspire the nation. I urge everyone to get out there and vote for their favourite."
To vote go to lotterygoodcauses.org.uk/awards. You can also follow the campaign on Twitter: hashtag #NLAwards. Voting in the new Athlete category runs from 9am on Wednesday 1 August until midnight on Friday 14 September.
Ends
For further information please contact The National Lottery Awards:
Catherine Bowden, catherine.bowden@lotterygoodcauses.org.uk; 0207 211 3936
Notes to editors
Notes to Editors:
Telephone voting calls cost 5p max. A connection charge may be applied by some networks. Please check with your provider
Voting is open from 1 August to midnight on 14 September
All voting will be independently adjudicated and verified by Electoral Reform Services
Thanks to National Lottery players, £30 million is raised each week for good causes in the UK
There are seven athletes competing for votes in the new Athlete of the Year category