Entain has been in partnership with SportsAid since 2018, and the funding will continue to be granted through the Entain Foundation to Britain's young athletes and Para athletes to aid their preparations for Paris 2024.

It will also deliver workshops for athletes, their parents and guardians, covering areas such as nutrition, mental health and handling media relations.

Bookmakers including Coral and Ladbrokes are owned by Entain, while SportAid has strived to support athletes with the costs of training and competition since 1976.

The charity says it has supported 165 of the 227 British competitors at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, including sprinter Cheyanne Evans-Gray, table tennis' Craig Allen and wheelchair fencer Abigail Marshall.

Athens 2004 Paralympic gold medallist in the men’s T46 800 metres Danny Crates explained the importance of the support from SportsAid, for whom he now serves as an ambassador.

"Talented young athletes need the right support, at the right time, to help them fulfil their potential and ultimately achieve their ambitions," Crates commented.

"SportsAid has maintained a crucial presence across British sport over the last 45 years - playing an important role in the country’s international success throughout that time.

"It's the overall package offered by SportsAid which helps make such a difference to athletes - financial backing, recognition of talent, workshop support, personal development opportunities - and this has really been enhanced in recent years.

"The outstanding commitment of the charity’s partners, such as Entain, is vital to making that a reality and I’m delighted to see this relationship going from strength-to-strength."

At the Olympic Games earlier this summer, 47 of Britain’s 65 medals were won by athletes who have received SportsAid funding during their careers, including BMX racing gold medallist and world champion Bethany Shriever.

Entain says its partnership with SportsAid has benefitted more than 150 athletes, and the doubling of its funding will make it one of the charity’s biggest backers.

The group’s director of corporate affairs, Grainne Hurst, expanded on Entain’s increased support for the charity.

"Following the incredible performance from British athletes at this year’s Olympic Games and the Paralympics getting under way in Tokyo, we are delighted to extend our SportsAid partnership for a further three years," Hurst said.

"Our collaboration with SportsAid is a huge source of pride for everyone at Entain and plays a pivotal role in supporting the next generation of British sporting heroes."

SportsAid’s chief executive Tim Lawler added that he was delighted at the extension of Entain’s support in the lead-up to Paris 2024.

"Entain’s extended commitment will take us all the way up to the Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2024 and comes at a very important time for talented young athletes - particularly following a challenging period over the last 18 months," said Lawler.

"Our partnership with Entain has continued to evolve year-on-year and the well-rounded support provided to these aspiring young sports stars gives them added confidence and motivation to pursue their ambitions.

"We have also seen an increased awareness of SportsAid and a much wider audience is hearing the stories behind the next generation of sporting heroes."

Entain is one of 12 partners listed by SportsAid, with others including the Royal Bank of Canada, the Elton John Sports Fund and Strava.

The Paris 2024 Olympic Games are due to be held from July 26 to August 11, and the Paralympics from August 28 to September 8.