SOME £200,000 of new funding to support Devon's prospective 2012 athletes and to ensure the county can play its part in supporting the London 2012 Olympics was announced by Devon County Council last week.
An extra £100,000 is to go to support 'Team Devon', a partnership of local businesses, sporting bodies and local authorities set up to make sure Devon can play its full part in preparing for London 2012 and to help the county benefit fully from potential economic and investment opportunities. In addition, £100,000 is also to be invested via Devon's schools and youth service.
Council leader Brian Greenslade said: 'Everyone is delighted at the performance of Team GB in Beijing and we warmly congratulate all our Devon athletes who have done themselves and the county proud.
'We recognise that achieving Olympic success takes years of hard work and dedication and it is also important we do all we can to help and support our potential young sporting stars of the future to develop.'
Supporting the move, portfolio holder for children and young people, Cllr John Smith said: 'The success of our local athletes is an inspiration to all Devon's young people and it's important we capitalise on this and use it as a driver for health and youth participation in schools.
'Being active through sport is so important and we want to signal a real commitment to its development and invest in the potential of our talented young sportsmen and women and help them to become our Olympic athletes of the future.'