UK Sport is the government agency charged with leading sport in the UK to world class success. Primarily this means working with partner sporting organisations to deliver medals at the Olympic and Paralympic Games. But it also takes responsibility for activities best delivered at a UK level, such as the nation's anti-doping programme; bidding for and staging major sporting events across the UK; increasing our sporting activity and influence overseas; and promoting sporting conduct, ethics and diversity in society.

 
UK Sport has developed a unique understanding of major events through its National Lottery backed World Class Events Programme that supports both the bidding for and staging of World Class sports events in the UK. Over 120 sporting events have been staged in the UK through the Programme since 1997, with around £20 million of National Lottery funding committed to targeting up to 100 more major events to be hosted by the UK betweeen 2006 and London 2012.

A key objective of UK Sport is to share knowledge and experience of these events and to constantly improve their delivery and innovation. Furthermore, the ability to attract and host major sporting events on home soil provides competitive opportunities for UK athletes to excel, as well as providing benefits for host cities and regions, and vital experience for volunteers and officials.