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The Olympic Podium Programme

The Olympic Podium Programme (OPP) is dedicated to supporting mature, highly skilled elite athletes as they aim to win medals in major competitions, such as European, World and Olympic Championships. The programme has Men's Endurance, Women's Endurance, BMX, Track Sprint and Mountain Bike Cross-Country elements.

Many of the athletes are members of professional "Trade" teams in addition to their membership of the programme. For many, particularly male and female endurance and Cross-Country Mountain Bikers, riding for a Trade team is an essential part of their preparation for major events, giving them access to the volume of racing and level of competition necessary to achieve the technical and physical conditioning required for major championships.

Much of the GB Team's endurance Track success has been built on the Road Race miles put in by the riders. In contrast, the Track sprinters compete relatively infrequently, but spend large amounts of time on specific technical training and conditioning in the gym.

Many athletes live close to the programme's base in Manchester, though their racing commitments take them round the world.

All athletes involved with the OPP share common levels of professionalism, dedication and the will to succeed in their chosen disciplines. They are supported by an equally committed and focused staff, including team managers, coaches, mechanics, masseurs, sports scientists and a number of administrators.