Cash crisis could stop Brits going to Vancouver

LONDON (AFP) - British Olympic chiefs are involved in a race against time to prevent the national ski and snowboard federation going bust before next month's Winter Games in Vancouver.

Snowboarder Zoe Gillings is one of Britain's leading medal hopes (© AFP/Getty Images/File - Jed Jacobsohn)

The British Ski and Snowboard Federation, which trades as Snowsport GB, needs a 200,000 pounds (324,120 dollars) cash injection to keep operating.

Their financial problems have led to fears that snowboarder Zoe Gillings and skier Chemmy Alcott, two of Britain's leading medal hopes in a country that has had rarely enjoyed sporting success on the slopes, won't be able to compete in Canada if the federation were to enter administration.

However, British Olympic Association chief executive Andy Hunt said Thursday: "We are fully aware of the situation and have been briefed on the steps being taken by Snowsport GB to remedy the financial shortfall.

"The BOA's absolute priority is to do everything possible to ensure that the athletes are able to compete in the Vancouver Games as members of Team GB.

"We have developed a contingency plan and, should it become necessary to do so, will submit it to our board for consideration.

"We are in communication with the relevant team leaders and officials to reassure them that we are monitoring the situation closely and are doing everything we can to support them."

Federation chairman Oliver Jones told Thursday's edition of The Times that the global economic crisis had hit his organisation hard.

"Administration is only one of a number of outcomes which may come out of this," he said. "The federation has had a particularly difficult year, made worse by the economic background.

"As a winter sports federation, we have seen our funding substantially curtailed in recent years and we have become increasingly dependent on more private funding."

He added: "I know we are living through extremely tough times, but I find it extraordinary that we have not been able to raise the 200,000 pounds we need. It is not too late for someone in (the British) Government to think again."