Olympics spending dwarfs grassroots

When London won the chance to host this summer's Olympics, one of the key pledges was that the Games would increase participation in sport.

However, a Sky Sports News investigation has uncovered figures which show that British sport in 2012 is a tale of two halves.

The investigation, carried out during Get Involved Week, has revealed that for every £10 the government invests in the Olympics, only one pound is being spent on sport at the 'grassroots' level.

For the period covering May 2010 to June 2011, out of a budget of £600m, only £6,251,563 was invested in grassroots sport - just 1%.

Even when spending on elite sport is included, the figure spent on the Olympics is still seven times higher.

It was also discovered that only 2.25% of Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) budget was spent on grassroots sport - as opposed to the 21.28% allocated to the Olympics.

However, the Government is keen to stress that the sports stars of tomorrow will reap the rewards of Olympic spending.

A DCMS spokesman said: "It should not be a surprise to anyone that we are investing billions of pounds on the construction of the Olympic Park...World-class venues like the stadium, velodrome and aquatics centre will be opened up for elite and community use after the Games.

"Sport England are upgrading facilities up and down the country and protecting and improving playing fields.

"The School Games is rejuvenating competitive sport in schools and Team GB in London will be the best prepared and funded British Olympic team in history, with our elite athletes set to inspire the next generation to take up sport."

Sky Sports News has been taking a close look at grassroots sport. For more information, visit the Get Involved website