How the new National Lottery operator is breaking down barriers to sport
As the curtain falls on a remarkable summer of sport, the impact of the Paris 2024 Olympics and Paralympics will be remembered not just for the medals won, but for the way the games highlighted the vital role of inclusion and equality of access in shaping the future of British sport.
At the heart of this achievement was funding from The National Lottery, operated by Allwyn since February of this year. Since 1997, National Lottery funding has broken down barriers and expanded access to sport, acting as a driving force behind the success of Team GB and ParalympicsGB.
Allwyn’s summer-long ‘Paris 2024’ campaign was more than a celebration of athletic excellence; it was a powerful statement about the transformative impact of National Lottery funding on sport in the UK.
For many athletes, particularly those from underrepresented communities or those with disabilities, access to toptier training, coaching, and facilities has historically been limited. National Lottery funding has ensured that talent and persistence - not financial barriers - determine who gets to chase their Olympic and Paralympic dreams.
Since 1997, over £1.5 billion of National Lottery funding has been invested into elite sport, directly supporting more than 6,800 athletes through coaching, facilities and support teams. That funding includes Athlete Performance Awards, which are in essence salaries, allowing athletes to focus full-time on their sport.
This funding has been crucial in providing opportunities to athletes who might otherwise have been excluded due to lack of resources. The ability to train full-time, work with world-class coaches, and access cutting-edge technology and medical support has allowed athletes from all walks of life to compete on the global stage, showcasing their talents at events like the Paris 2024 Games.
The ‘Paris 2024’ campaign brought this impact to the forefront, demonstrating how The National Lottery is breaking down barriers and access to competitive sports under the banner ‘Your ticket is their ticket to Paris’.
Through a series of initiatives - including special event draws, targeted promotions, and the launch of Team GB and ParalympicsGB Scratchcards - the campaign highlighted the tangible difference that National Lottery funding makes. Each ticket sold is not just a chance to win but an investment in the future of British sport (as well as other projects in communities across the UK), providing the resources needed to level the playing field for all athletes, regardless of their background.
The Paralympic Games, which followed the Olympics this summer, were a powerful reminder of the importance of inclusion in sport. ParalympicsGB’s athletes - many of whom have faced significant challenges both in and out of the sporting world - were able to compete at the highest level thanks to funding from The National Lottery distributor UK Sport. This funding has enabled them to access specialised training, adaptive equipment, and the best coaching available, breaking down the physical and financial barriers that might have otherwise held them back.
The Homecoming events hosted by The National Lottery in Manchester with Team GB and Birmingham with ParalympicsGB further brought home the importance of community and inclusion in sport.
These celebrations were not just about recognising the achievements of our athletes but also about acknowledging the role that the British public - through their participation in The National Lottery - plays in making these successes possible. Through bringing together athletes, fans, and National Lottery players, these events highlighted the collective effort required to support athletes from all backgrounds and abilities.
Through critical investment in grassroots sports programmes – some £6.7bn to date - and supporting initiatives that provide access to sports for all, regardless of socioeconomic status - National Lottery and government funding are helping to grow the next generation of Olympians and Paralympians. This approach ensures that talent is nurtured from the ground up, and that the UK continues to produce athletes who reflect the diversity and spirit of the nation.
Allwyn is also working to extend the legacy of the Paris Games through their own annual £1 million Social Value Fund – which is separate from National Lottery funding – through their ChangeMakers initiative, which saw Olympians and Paralympians give back to the communities that have supported them on their journey. The ChangeMakers initiative is a partnership between Allwyn, Team GB, ParalympicsGB and UK Sport to support athletes who want to help social impact projects they are passionate about, whether grassroots sport projects, sustainability, mental and physical wellbeing or LGBTQIA+ inclusion.
Over 100 athletes from Team GB and ParalympicsGB went back into their communities after the Games to get involved with these Good Cause projects. This included Team GB’s Cycling team helping to run mental health workshops at a Manchester Bike Kitchen; Scotland’s most decorated Olympian Duncan Scott helping children from all backgrounds learn to swim in Stirling; and Canoe Slalom silver medallist Adam Burgess helping to combat inactivity outside of school time at local summer programmes. Among others, Will Bayley and one of the youngest members of ParalympicsGB, Bly Twomey, visited National Lotteryfunded Brighton Table Tennis Club to share their skills and experiences of disability sports.
As we reflect on the summer of 2024, it’s clear that the legacy of the Paris Games extends far beyond the medals. The real triumph lies in the barriers broken down, the opportunities created, and the lives changed through The National Lottery’s support. The National Lottery’s ‘Paris 2024’ campaign has shown us that when we come together as a nation to support our athletes, we’re not just celebrating their success - we’re playing a crucial role in making it possible. And in doing so, we’re helping to build a more inclusive, equitable future for sport in the UK.
