Team GB stars have written to the Government ahead of next week’s Budget, warning they may be forced to quit before Los Angeles 2028 unless their funding increases.

British Olympians on the top level of funding receive £28,000 a year, a figure that has been static since 2012, amounting to a real-terms cut of £11,000. The average full-time athlete receives less than £22,500, while those on the lowest grants get £7,500.

In a recent survey carried out by the British Elite Athletes Association (BEAA), two thirds of Paris 2024 competitors said they would have to end their careers if funding stayed at the same level. One athlete surveyed said he knew of colleagues who had been made homeless.

That has prompted a group of Olympic and Paralympic athletes to write to culture secretary Lisa Nandy urging Labour to ‘prevent a crisis’ in the run-up to LA28.

‘Athletes and their families have shouldered the burden of static grants throughout the cost-of-living crisis,’ the letter states. ‘Now we are concerned that, with the sporting system under immense financial pressure, they will be asked to do so until at least 2028.

Team GB stars have written to the Government ahead of next week’s Budget, warning they may be forced to quit before Los Angeles 2028 unless their funding increases

That has prompted a group of Olympic and Paralympic athletes to write to culture secretary Lisa Nandy urging Labour to ‘prevent a crisis’ in the run-up to LA28

‘Such a demand will have devastating consequences. Fewer athletes means fewer medals, but also fewer role models and fewer opportunities.’

Hollie Pearne-Webb, who captained Britain’s hockey team at Paris 2024 and won gold at Rio 2016, was one of 10 signatories of the letter.

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‘Across sport I’ve seen athletes becoming increasingly reliant on their families to sustain their careers, or quit altogether because they can’t afford to continue,’ said the 35-year-old.

‘A lot held on until Paris, but many won’t be able to sustain themselves for another four years without higher grants, especially athletes from lower-income backgrounds.

‘Without urgently addressing athlete funding we’ll force out the next generation of British Olympians and Paralympians, or restrict that honour to only the most privileged.’

Funding levels for the four-year cycle to LA28 will be confirmed after the Budget.

Olympic and Paralympic sports are funded by UK Sport, who receive money from the Government and the National Lottery. The Conservative Government provided £232m in support in the three years leading up to Paris 2024.

Athlete performance awards are solely funded by the Lottery, but Labour are being urged to intervene.

‘We are profoundly concerned about athlete funding between now and LA 2028,’ said BEAA chair Dominic Mahony.

Hollie Pearne-Webb, who captained Britain’s hockey team at Paris 2024 and won gold at Rio 2016, was one of 10 signatories of the letter

‘Athletes are hugely grateful for the support they receive, and none would wish to be seen as unappreciative. But the reality is many have been forced out of sport already as inflation has out-stripped grants for so long, and many more may soon quit under the strain of the cost-of-living crisis. 

‘We know that UK Sport appreciate the difficulties facing athletes, but their ability to act will be limited by what they receive for the years ahead.

‘Increasing the level of awards is an urgent necessity. I call for urgent investment before it’s too late.’