Team GB risks losing coaches

Team GB risks losing its top coaches to rival countries amid concerns about continued funding for elite sports such as sailing, rowing and cycling.

The Beijing Olympics saw Britain take a record medal haul since 1908, with 47 medals in total including 19 golds. However, yesterday Olympic chiefs warned that a full four years of funding was crucial to ensure athletes improved their performances in London at the 2012 Olympics.

"A lot of our performance directors have really delivered so it’s not going to be surprising for their phones to be ringing,” said Lord Moynihan, chairman of the British Olympic Association. “We have some of the best in the world – there will be many other countries who will want to poach them from us."