Chris Tomlinson and Jo Pavey miss cut for Olympic funding

Neither deemed likely to be in medal contention in Rio 2016 Games

Chris Tomlinson has criticised Greg Ruthford's British record jump claiming it as 'illegitimate' (Getty Images)

The long jumper Chris Tomlinson has pledged to prove his doubters wrong and win a medal at the next Olympics despite being cut from National Lottery funding.

Tomlinson, 33, is among the big-name omissions from the World Class Performance Programme along with Jo Pavey, who won 10,000 metres gold at the European Championships this summer just a month shy of her 41st birthday.

Under the criteria, neither is deemed likely to be in medal contention come the Rio Olympics in two years’ time.

But Tomlinson, who was on Olympic podium funding last year, argued: “I’m disappointed not to be on there, despite finishing sixth at the last Olympics. There are certain people that believe I can’t get a medal in Rio. I actually think I can.”

Jo Pavey won European gold at age 40 this summer (EPA)

Athletes can appeal against the decision of UKA, the national governing body of British Athletics, but Tomlinson was unsure whether he would take that step.

Pavey is once again overlooked for funding despite winning 5,000m bronze at the Commonwealth Games as well as her European gold. She finished seventh at both distances at London 2012 and has declared her intention to compete in Rio.

The London 2012 heptathlon gold medallist Jessica Ennis-Hill, who became a mother in July, returns to the athletics front line with another round of funding.

Lynsey Sharp, who won European and Commonwealth 800m silver, moves to full podium funding.