Sport is central to life in the UK. Well over half the British population take part in a sport or physical recreation at least once a month.
UK sportsmen and women hold many world titles in a variety of sports, including professional boxing, rowing, snooker, squash, rugby union and motorcycle sports.
A number of major international sports started in the UK, at least in their modern form. These include rugby, football (soccer), cricket, golf, tennis and boxing. They all have a big following in the UK, particularly football that is the national game.
International events are often held in the UK making use of some of the best equipped stadia and facilities in Europe. Manchester hosted the Commonwealth Games between 25 July and 4 August 2002, the biggest sporting event ever held in Britain.
London is now bidding for the 2012 Olympics. The government is working closely with the bid team to bring the games to the British capital.
Historically, sport in the UK was enjoyed and promoted by individuals from all social classes and from the clubs, associations and governing bodies that they founded.
The government now plays a key role in promoting and funding sport through the five Sports Councils, including UK Sport and the four councils for England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Since 1998 there has been a ‘Sports Cabinet’ involved in identifying strategic priorities for sport. This is headed by the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport and includes the ministers responsible for sport in all the UK administrations.
Find out more on British involvement in individual sports on the I-uk.com sport pages.
Useful links:
- London 2012 Olympic Bid (external link)
- Sport England (external link)
- Department of Culture, Media and Sport - sport pages (external link)
- Football Association - the home of English football (external link)
- Rugby Football Union - the governing body of rugby football in England (external link)
- Lord’s - the home of cricket (external link)
- Lawn Tennis Association (external link)
- UK Athletics (external link)
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