British athletes appeared to be given the all clear on Thursday to attend lap-dancing and strip clubs safe in the knowledge it wouldn't lead to a cut in their funding.
The somewhat unusual clarification by UK Sport, the body that distributes money raised by the National Lottery to leading athletes to help them prepare for major events such as the 2016 Rio Olympics, came after it issued guidance on Wednesday regarding "misconduct" and "disrepute" that would see funds withheld.
One example of such unwanted behaviour was "attending a lap dancing or strip club regardless of gender" even though both activities are legal in Britain.
But a UK Sport statement issued Thursday admitted the guidance had caused "confusion".
"As a result of the consultation ahead of launching our new eligibility policy, a number of respondents requested examples, to suggest potential actions or behaviours that might, in theory, be considered acts of 'misconduct' or 'disrepute'," the statement said.
"We accept that one of the examples we included was not helpful and has subsequently led to confusion.
"Therefore we have taken the decision to remove the example. That said the purpose of including the illustrative examples remains, that we expect our elite athletes who benefit from the privilege of public funding to act as role models to inspire the nation."
Share
