Four-time Olympic gold medallist Sir Matthew Pinsent introduced the athletes, and said: "I am honoured to be able to celebrate The National Lottery's investment with these talented athletes who are hoping to take centre stage next year.

"Beijing 2008 was our most successful Olympics ever and I am backing our current hopefuls to do even better in London.

"Lottery funding has made a tremendous impact at all levels of sport, transforming parks and sporting facilities and allowing local clubs to prosper across the UK."

The National Lottery has invested directly into the fortunes of numerous athletes, such as world and European Paralympic judo champion Ben Quilter and rower Caroline O'Conner, who picked up a bronze medal at this year's World Rowing Championships in Bled, Slovenia.

Elena Baltacha, the British number one women's tennis player, told insidethegames that Lottery funding was vital to the creation of her academy, The Elena Baltacha Academy of Tennis.

"After last year at Wimbledon we identified 600 girls and started an academy," she said.

"Sport England funding goes towards [it].

"All of them are fantastic but two are on the map to [becoming top players].

"That's what a big difference it can make to people's lives.

"It's so important that we have that support."

An impressive £2.2 billion ($3.3 billion/€2.6 billion) is being invested directly by the National Lottery, and the class includes Athens 2004 4x100 metres relay gold medallist Marlon Devonish, Paralympic gold medallist and four time world champion adaptive rower Tom Aggar, and Arsenal left back Kieran Gibbs, a potential member of Stuart Pearce's Team GB squad.

Triple world champion and Paralympic gold medallist Danielle Brown is also Lottery funded, and said: "I would like lottery players to realise how their money has turned our sporting ambitions to reality.

"All my classmates here today are determined to make Lottery players proud of the class of 2012."

Adaptive rower David Smith told insidethegames that the funding had been instrumental to his fortunes in being able to win a gold medal at the World Championships earlier this year.

"The national lottery funding has been a massive benefit allowing me to train full time and focus on my sport," he said.

"You can do the training but without the funding you have to raise money elsewhere.

"It allows you to get the right recovery and the right rest.

"It allows you to have 100 per cent dedication and 100 per cent focus, it's been a massive factor to be in this position going into London."

Over 1,200 elite British athletes benefit from National Lottery funding, supporting them for London 2012. Lottery players are also investing £2.2 billion in London 2012 venues, infrastructure and art and cultural events. Find out more at www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk

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