UK Olympians and Paralympians attended the launch of Everyone Active’s Sporting Champions scheme, which offers athletes support and advice.

The event at London’s Porchester Hall was a chance to celebrate achievements as well as unveil the long-term plans of the programme in the run up to Tokyo 2020.

Everyone Active will invest a further £1million into the scheme over the next four years with the aim of having another 500 athletes signed up by the 2020 Games. It will provide support for all types of Olympic and Paralympic sports.

The scheme aims to help sports men and women of all ages achieve national and international success by offering them gold, silver or bronze tiers of sponsorship.

The scheme’s ambassadors, former Olympians Colin Jackson and Steve Parry, spoke at the event about their experiences of pursuing a career in sport.

Double-gold-medal winner Max Whitlock and two-time Paralympian Jade Jones, who are both supported by Everyone Active Sporting Champions, also addressed the audience.

Both Whitlock and Jones are gold level Everyone Active Sporting Champions, along with Olympic diver Tonia Couch, marathon runner Alyson Dixon and triple jumper Nathan Fox.

There are also more than 100 other athletes supported through the silver and bronze tiers. The packages provide funding for training, equipment, travel and competition costs, as well as access to over 140 Everyone Active leisure centres.

Whitlock said: “I’m proud to be involved with a scheme so dedicated to supporting athletic talent from grassroots up. When I was starting out there weren’t many top athletes in my sport to look up to, so it’s important we have schemes like this that help our young prospects achieve their dreams and give them access to mentors.”

Duncan Jefford, Everyone Active’s regional director and chairman of the scheme, said: “We have long been committed to providing support for talented athletes across the country. When we established Everyone Active Sporting Champions, we aimed to continue this support and ensure that everyone has the chance to fulfil their potential.

“We look forward to working together with our ambassadors and supporters to further strengthen the Sporting Champions package and encourage our next generation of sporting stars.”