Government refuses to get involved in Olympics cash row

(GETTY IMAGES)

The Government yesterday rejected a bid by the British Olympic Association to be given public money to resolve their cash dispute with London 2012 organisers.

Olympics minister, Hugh Robertson, met BOA chairman, Colin Moynihan, who believes the row could be settled if the Government provided money to fund some new schemes after the 2012 Games. Robertson ruled out any chance of that happening and said the Government could not mediate in the dispute with the London organising committee, who are refusing to provide the BOA with a bigger share of any surplus after the Games.

The minister said: "The Government is not and cannot be a mediator in a dispute between two private companies and I reiterated that there was no additional Government money available to help solve the dispute. I have encouraged the BOA to resolve the matter as quickly as possible in order to allow everyone to get back to making preparations to ensure 2012 is a great success."

It is understood the BOA is seeking more cash to fund new ventures that would see it expanding its current remit, which is basically to kit out the British team at Olympic Games and provide a training base.