British Cycling will create a Hall of Fame and induct 50 individuals from within the sport as a way of recognising their contribution to cycling over the past five decades. Embracing the wider cycling community, British Cycling will look at the entire cycling spectrum and all cycling disciplines, from volunteers, event organisers and race officials to coaches, athletes and influential figures within the sport. Names of inducted individuals will be released over the autumn months and the public will be invited to nominate their candidates.
British Cycling will soon be launching the 50th Anniversary Online and creating a module on the website devoted to its history and to the history of the sport, with the public encouraged to submit their memoirs and stories from the past five decades. The 50th Anniversary module will also encourage contributions from long standing British Cycling members and once again bring to life historic cycling moments.
Culminating all celebrations will be the 50th Anniversary Gala in February 2010, an event that will incorporate British Cycling’s Annual Awards Dinner. The gala will be devoted to ‘Cycling Champions’ in the organisation’s 50th year and bring together staff, riders, volunteers, partners, sponsors, cycling ambassadors and key figures in the sport.
Ian Drake, CEO at British Cycling, comments: “Our 50th Anniversary is an ideal opportunity to express our gratitude to all the people in our sport for their fantastic contribution over the past five decades. It is thanks to our members that we are transforming Britain into the number one cycling nation in the world and it is through our members that we will continue to work towards making cycling Britain’s most popular sport.”
Brian Cookson, President at British Cycling, adds: “Our sport only happens thanks to individuals willing to give up their own time to help others enjoy cycling, whatever their ability, motivation or goals, and for this reason we will be making a special effort to recognise volunteers in our sport.
“We would not be where we are today without the forward looking individuals at the British League of Racing Cyclists and the National Cyclists Union who laid solid foundations for our organisation, so we will also be remembering them this year.”
More details regarding British Cycling’s 50th Anniversary celebrations will be released over the coming months. For more information please visit www.britishcycling.org.uk