UK Sport have denied athletics is on the ‘naughty step’ despite slashing the sport’s funding for the next Olympics while giving more cash to scandal-hit equestrian. Team GB won 10 medals in track and field at Paris 2024, their best performance at a Games in 40 years.
![[UK Athletics chief executive Jack Buckner said he was ‘disappointed’ at the decision]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/16/15/91999437-14197961-UKA_chief_executive_Jack_Buckner_pictured_has_revealed_London_wi-a-3_1734363295613.jpg)
However, athletics is one of just two sports along with canoeing to have had their Government and Lottery money cut in the run-up to Los Angeles 2028, with their budget of £22.18m for Paris 2024 down by almost eight per cent to £20.45m. In contrast, equestrian’s funding has increased from £11.75m to £12.08m despite their biggest star Charlotte Dujardin being banned for excessively whipping a horse.
![[A video circulated over the summer of Charlotte Dujardin whipping a horse during training repeatedly 'like an elephant at the circus']](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/16/15/92829841-14197961-image-a-7_1734363827951.jpg)
UK Athletics chief executive Jack Buckner said he was ‘disappointed’ at the decision and that his organisation ‘deserved a higher level of investment’. It is understood that Buckner has been at loggerheads with UK Sport about him effectively doubling up as a performance director following the sacking of Stephen Maguire in October 2023. However, UK Sport insist the funding cut for athletics is not a punishment.
![[Those who train global gold medallists – like Keely Hodgkinson – will now receive just £15,000 a year, down from £40,000]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/16/15/93198451-14197961-image-a-4_1734363428985.jpg)
UK Sport denied athletics is on the ‘naughty step’ despite slashing the sport’s funding for the Olympics (Pictured: Samuel Reardon, Laviai Nielsen, Alex Haydock-Wilson and Amber Anning). UK Athletics chief executive Jack Buckner said he was ‘disappointed’ at the decision.
![[Cycling has received the largest Olympic budget of £30.13m, ahead of aquatics which has been handed £28.75m (Pictured: Sophie Capewell, Katy Marchant and Emma Finucane)]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/16/15/93198527-14197961-image-a-5_1734363575751.jpg)
