Funding row disrupts 2012 preparation

British athletes have had their preparations for the 2012 Games disrupted after lawyers advised them against signing the new ‘Team 2012′ contracts.

Under the terms of the proposed contracts, athletes would have to promote companies who become sponsors of London 2012. The deals have come about as an attempt to make up for the £50m shortfall in funding. But companies who sponsor the athletes already believe it will devalue their own deals.

If the contracts are not agreed, athletes will be forfeiting up to £70,000 a year. All 1,400 publicly funded athletes are needed to agree to the conditions. Currently it is believed that around 80 are refusing to sign up.

It is more of an issue for high profile athletes, who believe they will damage their own lucrative sponsorship deals.

The contracts covering the Beijing Games expired at the end of last month and UK Sport said that the Team 2012 contracts was vital for funding the elite programme and that it will not conflict with existing deals or prevent athletes signing personal deals.

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