Badminton wins Olympic award

The Mitsubishi Badminton Horse Trials has won the 2001 International Olympic Committee trophy for sport and volunteers.

The focus of the award is also on the contenders’ contribution to Olympicsuccess.

The Badminton Horse Trials was nominated by the British Olympic Association to be put forward for this year’s trophy.

Event director of Badminton, Hugh Thomas, says: “We are delighted to have outside recognition of the incredible contribution made by volunteers – around 350 each year – who give up their time for absolutely nothing. Without them, the event would not take place.

“Our event, which is the biggest and oldest three-day event in the country, is the flagship ofthe sport in Britain and provides the most important pointer for selection of the British Olympic team.

“Indeed, it was set up in 1949 by the then Duke of Beaufort specifically to produce riders for the Olympic games.”