The 24 sports that are due to receive funding in the build-up to the Games in four years time have been finding out this week how much they are due to be allocated but the situation is complicated by a shortfall of funding.

 

This has been caused by the fact that £79 million still needs to be raised by the private sector under the terms of a £300 million funding package announced by then Chancellor Gordon Brown two years ago.

 

But the economic climate has made that increasingly unlikely and Cram, the chairman of the English Institute of Sport, which is run by UK Sport, has warned that unless the Government steps in to cover the gap then it will be sports like handball and volleyball who will probably be hardest hit.

 

That will effect their chances of making any kind of impact in London and could seriously undermine the chances of 2012 leaving a legacy for these sports.

 

Writiing in his column published today in The Guardian, the former world 1500 metres champion said: "There will have to be cuts and they are not likely to be made by top slicing.

 

"It will be total programmes that will go and no one really knows exactly how many or indeed which sports will be involved."

 

The final figures are due to be announced in December but the sports that were most successful in Beijing during the Olympics, such as cycling, rowing, sailing and swimming, are expected to be given increases to reflect that they will be the main medal providers in 2012.

 

Athletics is also expected to avoid any significant cutbacks despite failing to meet the target of winning five medals in Beijing set by UK Sport .

 

Cram writes: "The long-term impact on sport may be difficult to predict while only the fiscally naive would not be bracing themselves for bad news some way down the road.

 

"For some of our Olympic sports that bad news could well be coming sooner than expected despite the success of Team GB in Beijing this summer.

 

"These are difficult times for all and the Government obviously has greater pressure elsewhere but our performances in 2012 will be a matter of national pride.

 

"The corporate sector could eventually prove willing to contribute but, with no guarantee currently in place, the World Class Programmes overall will be left significantly weakened.

 

"The Government does have the option to underwrite the hoped for income but as yet appears reluctant to take such a step, however desirable it may appear.

 

"The next few weeks will be crucial to all concerned and, while the sports that did best in Beijing....are likely to be given the green light to plan ahead as normal, there will be a nervous wait for others."

 

The full column can be read at http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/blog/2008/oct/07/olympics2012.athletics.