The figures, which were released by the PE and school sports charity during its National Talent Camp at Loughborough University, also showed nearly nine out of 10 elite youngsters (88 per cent) admit they can find it difficult at times balancing their commitment to their sport with their education.

The four-day National Talent Camp offered nearly one hundred 14-18 year olds a unique insight in to the world of performance sport and prepares them for the personal, academic and vocational challenges which lie ahead.

The young people attending the camp took part in tough physical training sessions as well as focused workshops with athlete mentors looking at the determination and lifestyle required to be an elite athlete.

The sports represented at the 2011 camp are canoeing, cycling, rowing, hockey, wheelchair basketball, girl's rugby, girl's football, netball and volleyball while one of the top athletes helping to lead the camp is Olympic gold medallist Jason Gardener.

Gardener, who lead out the British 4×100 metre relay team that claimed victory at the Athens 2004 Olympics, believes that the statistics published by the Youth Sport Trust show the unbelievable commitment of aspiring sporting champions.

"Being an elite athlete requires huge commitment and sacrifice and I know that many of the young people attending this camp are prepared to show the dedication you need to be the best," Gardener told insidethegames.

"I mean, I'm sure that some of them will leave this camp thinking that this is not the life for me.

"But for others, it will be very inspiring and they will be ready to push as hard as they possibly can to achieve success.

"I think London 2012 will be huge because it will be so inspiring for them to watch British athletes succeed.

"I remember being inspired by Daley Thompson as a youngster and thinking that if he was British and could be the best in the world, then so could I.

"I think the British success we will have at London 2012 will do the same for them.

"But my key message is for them to keep bouncing back whatever setbacks they have because if you keep working hard and keeping following your dream, you really can achieve it."

The Youth Sport Trust surveyed 100 young people identified as talented in their sports with the results showing than one in three (36 per cent train) six days a week and that nearly seven out of 10 (69 per cent) said their parents or guardians spend over £1,000 (£1552/€1190) on training and equipment costs a year.

In addition, over one in four of them - 28 per cent - travel more than 200 miles a week to get to training and competition.

Other findings from the Youth Sport Trust survey show that nearly all of the young people - 95 per cent - would be prepared to miss a summer holiday or a party with friends in order to go training but less than half of them - 46 per cent - feel they are put under pressure to succeed by their coaches, family, teachers or friends.

"This camp is all about giving the young people an insight in both the mental and physical challenges they will be presented with if they go on to be elite sports stars," added the Director of Sport at the Youth Sport Trust Alison Oliver.

"The lessons they learn here are invaluable in preparing them for the many challenges experienced in a successful career in sport."

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