Govt 'letting down Britain's athletes'
Thursday, 20 March 2008 12:00 AM
Opposition parties have expressed concern after a National Audit Office (NAO) report criticised the government's efforts to secure private-sector funding for Britain's athletes.
UK Sport, the body charged with raising the UK's medals tally at the London 2012 Olympic Games, is to receive £700 million to double the Athens 2004 medal count.
But £100 million of this is due to come from private-sector sponsorship and this is yet to be raised, the report notes.
It points out this "key risk" means the funding "may not materialise or may become available too late".
The report also notes the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) waited 16 months before acting on the Commons' public accounts committee's recommendation that it put out a tender for a fundraising partner.
"With four years to go until the London Olympic and Paralympic Games, elite athletes need to know what support they will receive for 2012," NAO head Tim Burr said.
"Clear targets also need to be set for the level of success to be achieved at the Games, with the substantial funding available."
Shadow Olympics minister Hugh Robertson described the news as "deeply shaming" for the government.
"It is hard to avoid the conclusion that the government, and in particular the prime minister, has let down both UK Sport and the individual athletes badly," he commented.
And Liberal Democrat sport spokesperson Don Foster regretted the fact ministers were warned three years ago of the potential problems around private sponsorship for elite athletes.
He said: "Tessa Jowell previously assured me it was all under control, but this report highlights that problems remain.
"2012 is a unique opportunity for our athletes - it would be a travesty if government complacency jeopardises British chances."
The DCMS insisted the government was "confident" it could achieve the £100 million target, however.
A spokesperson said: "We have been working closely with the London organising committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games on the timing of our approach to the marketplace."
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