The news that David Cameron had agreed to the spending of an extra £41 million ($64 million/€48 million) to put on more of a show at the London Olympics and Paralympics came as it was revealed that security costs for the Games had doubled to £553 million ($863 million/€645 million).

Hugh Robertson, Minister for Sport and the Olympics, claimed that a meeting of the Prime Minister, the Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt and himself had decided that they needed to maximise and promote London to the four billion television viewers after being presented with a range of ceremonial components across the ceremonies.

"This is a great national moment," Robertson said.

"It is about seizing this great ceremonial and economic moment to benefit the economy and the public and tourism in the long run.

"This money will not be spent on fireworks, it will not be money going up in smoke, and it will be an important investment in the economic future of the country."

Radcliffe, speaking in a British Olympic Association (BOA) teleconference from her training camp in Kenya after the news that she had been selected to make a fifth Olympic appearance in London 2012, said she had not been aware of the story about the increased budget for the ceremonies, but when asked her opinion on it she responded: "These Ceremonies are important, because they kick-off the Games.

"But over the years people tend to remember the overall atmosphere at an Olympics rather than the spectacle of an Opening Ceremony.

"It sounds a little bit frivolous to be putting more money into this now at a time of recession.

"It could be better spent on grassroots sport so that it can be of greater benefit."

Radcliffe also re-stated her belief in the BOA bylaw preventing British athletes guilty of serious doping abuse from taking part in any future Olympics.

"I do back it," she said.

"People who cheat in sport cheat their fellow competitors and themselves.

"I think there should be a lifetime Olympic ban in place for serious cheats, and I think a lot of other athletes feel the same way."


Asked if she would want to see the three British sportsmen currently debarred from the Olympics through the bylaw – Dwain Chambers, David Millar and Carl Myerscough (pictured) – restored to the Games, she added: "It's a difficult one.

"This rule does need to be fair across the board.

"But if you say these three come back then it weakens the argument against having a lifetime Olympic ban."

Asked if she felt she was capable of winning Olympic gold in next year's marathon, the 37-year-old world record holder said: "Yes I do.

"The thing is to get there 100 per cent fit and ready.

"I don't think my chances are as strong as they were back in 2004, or probably in 2008.

"I think you will need to be in sub 2hr 20min shape to challenge for a medal next year, but I don't think you need to be in 2:15 shape.

"I wasn't quite good enough to earn an Olympic medal at 5000 metres and 10,000m.

"I feel I was good enough in the marathon, but injury and illness meant I couldn't get it right on the day in Athens or Beijing.

"What I really want to do in London next year is to be able to give it 100 per cent, and whether it is good enough or not good enough, I want to be able to say I have gone there and done the best I could.

"I'm not bitter about what has happened at past Olympics.

"I don't blame myself for it.

"But at the same time I still want to push myself as hard as I can.

"I suppose I am hoping there is still a little bit of luck around for me this time round."

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