Return of funding is timely boost for athletes for 2012

The 28-year-old former Olympic relay champion, along with Great Britain team-mate Christian Malcolm, was yesterday invited back onto the World Class Performance Programme (WCPP) after being part of a record medal haul at the European Championships.

Lewis-Francis and Malcolm lost their podium funding in October last year but bounced back to claim silver medals in the 100m and 200m respectively in Barcelona in July.

"I am delighted to be back on funding, it will let me focus on my training with the knowledge that I have new support," said Lewis-Francis, who also took individual silver and relay gold at the Commonwealth Games in Delhi last month.

"Last year was a difficult year but with the support network I had around me, especially in my coach Linford (Christie), I was able to bring back medals for my country from the major championships.

"It has been an incredible year and one I am confident I can build on for 2011 and beyond."

Lewis-Francis and Malcolm join the likes of world and European champions Jessica Ennis and Phillips Idowu on podium funding, alongside Barcelona gold medallists Mo Farah, Dai Greene and Andy Turner.

Chris Thompson, who won silver in the 10,000m behind Farah, also receives podium funding, along with Perri Shakes-Drayton, who won bronze medals in the 400m hurdles and 4x400m relay.

UK Athletics head coach Charles van Commenee said: "It is that time of year again where we must review our athletes, their 2010 performances and make tough decisions based on our proven WCPP criteria.

"I am pleased to announce the 96 athletes which will, deservedly, be given support from UKA and the National Lottery.

"Athletes must prove themselves continuously to maintain their position on the programme, which has performance at its core, and we must demonstrate a clear return on investment to the lottery-playing public. They want to see winners in British vests.

"There is no denying that, with two years to go, all eyes are firmly fixed on the 2012 Olympic Games but 2011 really is crucial to any potential successes in London."

Sprinters Montell Douglas and Laura Turner, part of the women's 4x100m team which disappointingly crashed out in the heats in Barcelona, have had their funding withdrawn. Kelly Sotherton, the 2004 Olympic heptathlon bronze medallist, has been moved from podium to podium relay funding.