Money in sport effects Vancuva

The British Ski and Snowboard Federation needs a £200,000 cash injection to keep operating, and ensure the passage of British Winter Olympics hopefuls to Vancouver.

Oliver Jones, the chairman of Snowsport GB, the trading name of the federation, told UK newspaper The Times that the team had been hit hard by the economic crisis, and it entering administration was a possibility.

“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."

Agence France Presse reports that the British Olympic Association (BOA) is helping the federation through the crisis.

“We are fully aware of the situation and have been briefed on the steps being taken by Snowsport GB to remedy the financial shortfall,” said BOA chief executive Andy Hunt.

“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.”

Details of the contingency plan are unknown.