How National Lottery Funding Created an Olympic Champion

There are many ways in which the National Lottery help people. 27-year-old Lauren Price received financial assistance and went on to become an Olympic gold medallist.

After her success at the Tokyo Olympics, Price has now been named the National Lottery Olympian of the Year at the 2021 National Lottery Awards.

Taxi Driving

Her success came at the Tokyo Olympics but before receiving help from the National Lottery, her life was very different. A few years ago, Price had to work as a taxi-driver in Caerphilly, Wales to help pay for her training costs.

 “I was on the Welsh team, training Monday to Thursday and driving cabs on Friday and Saturday nights.I’d finish work at 3-4am – obviously that affects your training,” said the boxer.

Then everything changed for her in 2017. That was the year when Lauren was selected for Team GB and National Lottery funding was received. The additional cash meant no more taxi driving and she could train full-time.

“It’s every amateur boxer’s dream to get on a full-time programme and get funded by The National Lottery,” said Lauren. “To compete at the highest level and work at the same time is impossible. Now training is my job and I love what I do” she added.

Award winner

The general public vote for who wins the National Lottery Olympian of the Year award. Speaking about receiving the award, Lauren said: “I can’t thank everyone enough. It’s the first time this award has been presented, so I can add it to my list of firsts, next to being the first Welsh woman to win Olympic gold for boxing!”

It’s been an emotional time for the boxer. Her grandfather passed away in November 2020. He’d been one of her biggest fans and was always on her mind during the Olympics: “It was a big thing for me when I was out there in Tokyo, knowing he was looking down on me,” said Lauren. Help was received from her grandmother who sent her motivational texts during the Games.

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