UK Sport has voiced its concerns over funding the athletes during the run up to the 2012 Games, where the sports body has been set a target to finish in the top four of the medal table.

Although the government has pledged record levels of funding for the Olympics, UK Sports claims £100m of the £600m funding package has not yet been forthcoming.

The missing millions have been earmarked to be provided by the private sector through sponsorship deals and donations, but no efforts have yet been made to secure it.

UK Sport has concerns that, in the light of a projected economic downturn and LOCOG and the British Olympic Association also going to businesses for money, it might be difficult to raise.

“It’s critical to the mission that we have that £100m,” says UK Sport chair, Sue Campbell. “Without that £100m our ambitions will be difficult to achieve.”