Sally Munday, CEO of UK Sport, looks forward to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games

In exactly a year’s time, on July 26 2024, the torch will be lit to tell the world that the Paris Olympics are underway.  

The lighting of that symbolic flame is always a moment heavy with history and promise, as it heralds the start of what is widely considered to be “the greatest show on earth”.  

My memories are still fresh of the amazing exploits I was lucky enough to witness first hand in Tokyo, at a Games postponed for a year because of the Covid-19 pandemic and staged in virtually empty stadiums.  

But now I’m looking forward to watching our extraordinary Olympic and Paralympic athletes competing in packed Parisian arenas as they deliver unforgettable performances that inspire and unite the British public.  

It’s already clear that I will not be alone. Many thousands of British fans will be crossing the channel to see our summer Olympians and Paralympians compete in Games held on European soil for the first time since London in 2012. Indeed, I understand that Brits have purchased more tickets than any other nation (the French excepted). 

Everyone at UK Sport is committed to supporting our athletes to achieve their dreams and ambitions, and to bring pride and pleasure to those fans who are there to cheer them on, as well as the many millions watching at home.  

We are behind our athletes every step of the way as they put in the hard work needed to create those unforgettable moments. Competition will be incredibly intense, but we are committed to reinforcing our ambition to remain in the top five of the medal table.  

As well as the dedication of our athletes, we should always remember their commitment is matched by the extraordinary coaches and support staff working in Olympic and Paralympic sports in this country. They support our talented athletes day in, day out – and their work, and that of the individuals and teams who benefit from their expertise, is already bearing fruit.  

With 12 months to go to the games, it’s fantastic to see that Team GB athletes have already secured qualification for Paris in no fewer than 12 sports. 

Our men’s and women’s gymnastics teams made certain of their places with medal-winning performances at the World Gymnastics Championships, held in Liverpool late last year. 

They joined our equestrian team, who had already sewn up a full quota of spots for team and individuals in dressage, eventing and jumping. 

And just this month, our divers excelled at their World Championships to qualify for several individual and synchronised events, including Lois Toulson and Andrea Spendolini-Sirieix who became the first British women to win a world diving medal. 

In Tokyo, Team GB won medals in 18 Olympic sports – more than any other nation except the United States and China.  

We want to continue to be a world leader in the range of sports in which we win medals – and in the way we use the platform those successes give us to make a positive social impact in our communities. 

None of this would be possible, of course, without the unwavering backing of the Government, and of the millions of National Lottery players whose contribution  helps to support our extraordinary athletes when they take to the world stage.  

Anticipation will grow steadily over the next 12 months as we count down to the Games in Paris, and the variety of events in which our athletes will lift the hearts of a proud nation. 

I'm sure those months will fly by – and I for one cannot wait for the Games to begin. 

Keep an eye out for our blog to mark 1 Year to Go to the Paralympic Games on Monday 28th August.