Opportunities for top-class sport

The memorandum ‘Opportunities for top-class sport sets out central government’s policy on top-class sport. The basic principle of this policy is that top-class sport in the Netherlands is first and foremost the responsibility of organized sport itself. The government pursues a policy which supports and augments and which is designed to promote the positive aspect of top-class sport for society and to counter the negative phenomena and side effects such as doping. This policy makes no distinction between the various sports. All sports are in principle equal and policy is therefore focused on the full spectrum of the top-class sports field. Top-class sport should be accessible to everyone, both to participate and to watch. The memorandum divides the government’s policy measures into two categories: measures designed to improve the social position of the top sportsman (recognizing and nurturing talent, grants for top sportsmen, winding down the top-class sporting career) and measures focused on the top-class sport infrastructure (support to top-class sport associations, facilities and events, promoting expertise, scientific research and support and policy on sports medicine). Measures taken by the government to counter the use of doping are also considered.