Vancouver Athlete Report Published
12 Jul 2010
The independent athletes report from the Vancouver winter Olympic games 2010 has been published by the British Athletes Commission (BAC)
News
News Archive
BOA AC Board elected
08 Jul 2010
The results of the elections to the BOA Athletes Commission have been released, and the BAC is delighted to see the high calibre of athletes that have been elected and selected to serve on the new commission.
BAC announces Betfair as new sponsor
08 Jul 2010
The British Athletes Commission (BAC) has signed a 3 year agreement with Betfair. This establishes Betfair as the BAC’s first ever official sponsor.
The two organisations will seek to educate and raise awareness among elite athletes in all Olympic Paralympic and world class disciplines about betting related issues and the role they can play in preventing corruption in their sports.
Pete Gardner, Chief Executive of the BAC commented:
“The BAC is delighted to announce Betfair as its first sponsor, their support will be vital in ensuring athletes receive a key strand in their ongoing education, as Olympic and Paralympic sport becomes ever more professional.”
Karen Pickering, BAC Chair said:
“At a time when the IOC has just agreed on a series of recommendations for Olympic sport, I am delighted that the BAC will be working with Betfair to educate British athletes across all Olympic, Paralympic and World Class sports in how they can prevent corruption and protect the integrity of sport.”
David Yu, Betfair Chief Executive said:
“We are delighted to be working with the BAC, a vital step in our on-going efforts to safeguard the integrity of sport. We have seen that there are very few integrity issues when betting on sport is entirely transparent and when sportsmen and women understand the rules in place and penalties for breaking them. This partnership gives us a unique opportunity to work together in educating athletes about this issue in the run-up to the 2012 Olympic Games in London.”
BOA Athlete Commission Elections
21 Jun 2010
Voting opens today for the BOA Athlete Commission Elections, and continues until Friday 25th June. All Olympians past and present are eligible to vote and should have received instructions from the BOA on how to do so.
The London Legacy
01 Jun 2010
The London Legacy is the working title for a 2012legacy project being put together by Savvy Sport. The project aims to provide a lasting legacy beyond the buildings and facilities in the Olympic Park, and is looking to secure funding to begin its first phase.
Athlete Tax Update
29 Apr 2010
As many of you who saw the Athlete Tax presentations will know, the rules for Athlete Tax are quite complicated and are still an evolving topic. We have recently launched a new website that should help make life easier for assessing your tax status and understanding the rules. However before we tell you more about the website, we just wanted to feedback on this year’s process:
This year’s tax return process has confirmed two key aspects of the Tax legislation:
1. Athlete expenses must first be offset against the Athlete Personal Award (‘APA’) (i.e. Lottery Award) received in the year. Excess expenses (i.e. above the APA) can then be set off against other sport related income if the Athlete is trading with a view to a profit. If there are still excess expenses after offsetting against other sporting income, they can be reclaimed as a credit against future taxable sporting income or offset against other income in the year (if tax has been paid).
2. Only Professional Athletes can make a claim for excess expenses. You will recall that a Professional Athlete is someone who is trading with a view to a profit (either now or in the near future).
These aspects of the tax legislation have led to a lot of confusion during the last year.
Further Points:
• For many Athletes, although their expenses are high, they are often below the APA. The APA is a grant to cover sporting and living expenses.
• Even Athletes who have high expenses, will need to justify that they are trading as a professional, i.e. they are trying to (or will) make a profit from their sport. This is a double edged sword as potentially the APA awards of professional athletes may also become taxable.
• Athletes need to maintain good records of their income and expenses. The standard of records that have been sent to us this year has been inconsistent. It is your responsibility to keep records of your income and expenses.
New job opportunity
20 Apr 2010
UK Anti-Doping is to establish an Athlete Committee
24 Mar 2010
Introduction
UK Anti-Doping is seeking nine individuals who are either present or recently retired athletes or athlete support personnel to join the UK Anti-Doping Athlete Committee. The advisory committee, sponsored by the UK Anti-Doping Board, will commence in June 2010.
About UK Anti-Doping
UK Anti-Doping is the National Anti-Doping Organisation for the UK and has responsibility for ensuring sports bodies in the UK are compliant with the World Anti-Doping Code through implementation and management of the UK’s National Anti-Doping Policy. UK Anti-Doping’s functions include an education and information programme, athlete testing across more than 40 sports, intelligence management and exclusive results management authority for the determination of anti-doping rule violations. Accountable to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), UK Anti-Doping has a very clear remit in anti-doping in the UK and plays a lead role in the fight against doping in sport.
About the Athlete Committee
The UK Anti-Doping Athlete Committee brings together a diverse group of current and recently retired athletes and support personnel to help shape and inform UK Anti-Doping’s programmes into the future. Members will have strong networks into the sporting community so they can solicit and share the views of their peers, sports and entourage across a range of anti-doping issues. Meeting twice a year, Committee members are expected to contribute to the Committee’s work through their understanding of, experience in, and commitment to anti-doping, as well as their understanding of the national and international sporting environment.
The Committee will be chaired by UK Anti-Doping Board Member John Brewer, and will work closely with other athlete-centered committees and groups to ensure consistent and considered advice is presented to the UK Anti-Doping Board.
National Governing Bodies and recognised sporting bodies will be asked to identify and endorse suitable candidates to represent the views and opinions of their athletes.
Appointments shall be for an initial period of up to three years, which may be extended for two further three-year periods.
The responsibilities of the Committee
• To provide guidance on anti-doping policy and programmes
• To review and recommend effective ways to engage athletes, support personnel and sporting organisations.
• To seek solicit and share athlete feedback on UK Anti-Doping programmes and activities
• To work with other Athlete Committees to ensure the wider views of athletes are brought to the attention of UK Anti-Doping.
The people
We are seeking to appoint nine members who are current or recently retired international athletes or athlete support personnel, and will consider each application against the criteria outlined in the application form. Candidates must have demonstrated experience of anti-doping, and a good understanding of the challenges facing athletes in this area. They should have established relationships within a National Governing Body or recognised sporting body, and experience working with International Federations, the World Anti-Doping Agency, or Olympic or Paralympic organising committees and associations would be beneficial.
Time commitment
The Committee will meet twice a year.
Duration of appointment
Term of appointment is for three years. Members may be reappointed for a further two terms subject to satisfying the criteria of the Committee. To retain membership, the Member will need to attend at least one meeting each year, and must not breach the Athlete Committee Code of Conduct.
Location of UK Anti-Doping
UK Anti-Doping’s office is located at Oceanic House, 1a Cockspur Street, London SW1Y 5BG.
The BAC candidate
The BAC are looking to propose a candidate to be considered for the committee. Thus we can write your reference should you wish to apply for the committee. If this is something you might be interested in please contact Pete Gardner on 07515 754 498 or email pete.gardner@britishathletes.org.
Closing date
The closing date for applications is 5pm on Friday 16 April 2010.
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