With the 2012 Olympics in mind, UK Sport and the English Institute of Sport have joined forces to create a world class sports science and medical service delivery system to support elite performers.

Announced on Thursday (25 October), the joint programme board includes representatives from each organisation. The first job will be to review strategic direction and funding of sports science and medicine service delivery in England, which will then be implemented from 2009.

Chair of UK Sport, Sue Campbell, says in the build up to the Olympics the spotlight is on sport and the two organisations must respond to the challenge: “The ultimate goal is the same: the desire to maximise the chances of our athletes as they strive to be the very best they can be.”