Radcliffe blasts ‘frivolous’ ceremony budget

The world marathon record holder Paula Radcliffe criticised the decision to give an extra £41m of public money to the ceremonies during difficult economic times.

“We’re in a recession – to throw money at this is a bit frivolous,” she said.

Ms Radcliffe, who will be the first British athlete to have taken part in five Olympics, said the money would be better spent on developing talent.

“The money could be thrown at other areas such as grass-roots sports. The Games are costing quite a bit as it is and it would be better off spent in ways which would give more back long term.”

But Hugh Robertson, minister for sport and the Olympics, said the money was “an investment to drive the maximum benefit for the economy and tourism”.

Ms Radcliffe’s criticism came as Britain’s fastest 200m runner this year, James Ellington, said he had no other choice but to raise funds on eBay to compete in next year’s games.

Sponsorship for sale

Mr Ellington said that after four years of injury he slipped down the rankings and was passed over by the major sponsors who were looking for long-term tie-ups.

“When you’re injured and a big company comes and asks who is doing well at the moment, who has a good chance of running in the Olympics, they don’t see you as an athlete with potential, you are just another injured runner who’s not competing, so that made it difficult,” he said

The 100m and 200m runner from Lewisham said he had managed to qualify for the Games despite no lottery support, kit deal, or any kind of endorsements.

He’s advertised for sponsorship on eBay, with a reserve of £30,000, to cover expenses for training, accommodation, and travelling.

In return he will wear a sponsor’s branded kit at training and press events in the run-up and after the Olympics.

Ellington said: “I’ve been passed over by potential sponsors in the past because of my injury, but that’s all behind me now. I’m peaking when it really matters, finishing my best-ever season and smashing my own personal bests just before the 2012 Games.

“All I need now is a commercial sponsor to get onboard and I can commit myself full-time to getting into Team GB and hopefully win a medal for Great Britain at London 2012.”