USA agreement to boost ailing snow sports in the UK, says Moynihan

THE British Olympic Association chairman Colin Moynihan believes the new bilateral agreement with the United States Olympic Committee ensures a more stable future for snow sports in the UK.

BRIGHTER FUTURE: Lord Colin Moynihan believes there is a more positive outlook for Great Britain's snow sport athletes (Getty Images)

Moynihan and the BOA established an accord in San Francisco, shortly after the 2010 Winter Olympics with USOC chairman Larry Probst, in a bid to share information, coaching techniques and collaborate issues of mutual interest ahead of both London 2012 and Sochi 2014.

A key part of the agreement is to explore partnership opportunities between British Ski & Snowboarding and the United States Ski & Snowboard Association.

British Ski & Snowboarding has been created following the collapse of previous national snow sports governing body SnowsportGB into administration on the eve of the Vancouver Games.

The BOA stepped in to ensure the 14 British snow sport athletes selected for Vancouver 2010, mobilising their dormant subsidiary company, Team GB Limited, to act as the temporary national governing body for ski and snowboarding.

That was originally just a short-term fix but the BOA have also been instrumental in establishing British Ski & Snowboarding, and Moynihan believes the future is looking a lot brighter, following their agreement with the USOC.

"This is a groundbreaking Agreement between two National Olympic Committees with a shared commitment to support the growth of the Olympic Movement not only in our own countries, but worldwide," said Moynihan.

"For the BOA, this Agreement also represents an invaluable opportunity to provide an additional pathway of critical support for our winter sport athletes and, in particular, those athletes affected by the recent collapse of the former national governing body for ski and snowboard sport in the UK."

"Relations between the BOA and USOC have always been close, but with this agreement, and with partners such as Larry Probst and Scott Blackmun, we enter a new era of trust, respect and collaboration. 

"In just over two years, we will welcome the world to London for the 2012 Olympic Games, and now is the perfect time to strengthen long-standing friendships and develop new ones."

Probst added: "The special relationship between Great Britain and the United States has been bolstered by this Agreement.

"Lord Moynihan is to be commended for his commitment to partnership and advancing the important ideals of the Olympic Movement.

"Our goal coming into the Vancouver Olympic Winter Games was to continue our efforts to engage the global Olympic Movement, learn from other National Olympic Committees and where possible, share our own expertise.

"With this Agreement, and others we've signed during these Games, I believe we have made progress against that objective. 

"I look forward to working closely and collaboratively in the coming years with Lord Moynihan, Andy Hunt and the entire BOA."