Cadbury announced this week that it would be sponsoring the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy, the location for the Olympics and and para-Olympics. As well as providing funding for the event and athletes, Cadbury will be the exclusive distributor of snacks and ice creams at the venue. It is a sad fact that today there is no such thing as amateur sport. In order to compete in the Olympics sailors have to campaign from a early age with many starting at the age five. Travelling to international events and training is a full time occupation. Who and how sport is funded is an ongoing debate. Although the days of tobacco and alcohol sponsorship are behind us it could be argued in a country struggling with obesity a confectionery manufacture is an uncomfortable bedfellow to promote sport.
It's fair to say that Cadbury is not doing anything new we have seen sponsorship from the like of McDonald's and Coco-Cola for years. Cadbury being a tier-two sponsor will spend between 20-40 million pounds on the games. They spend this money in the expectation of increased sales. Will this be at the expense of our children's health?
Sport England which distributes money from the National Lottery will hand over, £9.6 million (09-14) to the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) which is the National Governing Body. Without doubt the Lottery has been instrumental in Team GB's success in the Olympics and a dramatic injection of funds into grass roots sailing. However we must remember that the Lottery is no more then state run gambling with all it's negative effects on society.
With Western Nations being able to raise so much money through sponsorship and athletes being able to train full time it widens the gab for athletes from developing nations. Is this in the Olympic spirit or should anything that raises the bar of achievement be endorsed. Please post your views or opinions
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