Swallow fighting funding cut to reach London 2012

By George Scott, Sportsbeat

JODIE Swallow has hit out British Triathlon for cutting her National Lottery funding - but insists it won't stop her charge to London 2012.

RACING ANGRY: Jodie Swallow is using her funding cut as motivation to reach the London Olympics

Swallow made her breakthrough in 2003 by claiming silver at the World Cup in Athens - but disappointed with a 34th place finish at the Olympic Games 12 months later.

A stress fracture followed in late 2004, and a disillusioned Swallow took the whole of 2005 off - sacrificing her funding in the process.

The 28-year-old's progress has been hampered by injury since and her best result in 2009 was a 15th place finish at the Tongyeong World Championship leg.  

But the road to 2012 looks paved with gold for Great Britain, with Alistair Brownlee claiming the inaugural World Championships Series in 2009, while Hollie Avil was crowned women's under-23 champion.

But Swallow insists all is not rosy in Team GB and has slammed the way Lottery cash is allocated.

"It's quite competitive and there are differences in funding as well which can lead to jealousy and a bit of unfairness creeps in as in all organisations," she said.

"Everyone's always competing against each other - there's a funding issue and I think the rules are a bit grey and in any situation personalities will clash and rules won't be understood.

"I'm competing for the World Series and believe I can do well at the London 2012 Games but I'm not funded - that's the discrepancy I have.

"I think that you need to give support to people who need support. Unfortunately I think the way that sport is structured is they give money to amazing athletes.

"It's very difficult to compete at your best in professional sport when you're not getting funded but other people, who are at the same level as me, are funded.

"I believe I'm good enough and I think if they can see that then they should fund me.

"If they don't think I'm good enough then they won't fund me again next year but as results come in I see my situation changing.

"If that situation doesn't come then I'll still make sure I can keep going to London. I'll win enough races and do enough for my sponsors to make sure that I will be at the Games in 2012.

"That's my dream and that's what you do with a dream, you fight for it and it makes you a stronger character."

Swallow failed to earn the selectors' nod for Beijing, with 2008 World Champion Helen Jenkins and Avil representing Great Britain.

But never one to set her goals low, Swallow insists she's on track for a podium finish in 2012.

"If you're basing your life around three years then you've got to give it 100 per cent of your time," added Swallow.

"I've had a change of mindset completely and it's about focus and calmly getting on with your business.

"I've got a new coach, new training group and I actually believe I'm on the right track now and it's good to be able to say that.

"This is my third Olympic cycle and if I don't take the opportunity in 2012 then I don't think I ever will so that's given me a right kick up the backside this year.

"My aim for next year is to finish in the top ten of the World Series ranking, the following year I want to be in the top five and the year after that it's the Olympic year.

"It's about putting in three solid years rather than being up, down and injured - I'm just looking for the consistent level that me and my coach can deliver given the chance."