Many congratulations our wonderful Patron, Dame Katherine Grainger who has become the first female chair of the British Olympic Association.

She has been an NCI Patron since 2013 and it’s an honour that she continues to support us, said NCI Chair, Stephen Hand. “Dame Katherine is truly inspirational and a highly respected figure in the sporting world. We are greatly honoured that she finds the time to give us her unfailing support and we’d like to offer our sincerest congratulations on this historic appointment,” he said. In a BBC News report, Dame Katherine said: “The Olympics has been central to my life for nearly 30 years. "As an athlete I felt first-hand the incredible influence and impact sport has on people’s lives. “During my time as chair of UK Sport, I have learned the power of collaboration as part of this impressive eco system that enables Olympic sport to flourish in the UK, and so I look forward to embarking on this next chapter.” Dame Katherine is the only British woman to win medals in five successive Olympic games. She will now take over as chair from Hugh Robertson in early 2025, after 46 members of the National Olympic Committee voted to elect her.