London 2012 cash dispute goes to Court of Arbitration

The British Olympic Association (BOA), is taking its dispute with the organisers of the London 2012 Games to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.



Based in Lausanne, the court is the final adjudicator in disagreements between sporting bodies or individuals.



The BOA feels it deserves a bigger cut from the organisers of any surplus generated from the Games.



BOA spokesman Darryl Seibel says his association has filed a formal petition seeking to resolve the matter quickly and equitably.



Initially, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) had been asked to adjudicate on the dispute.



The BOA's decision to take its case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport will further anger many who argue that the harmony around the Olympic project is being jeopardised to protect the organisation's finances.



Last week it was revealed that the BOA has a significant funding gap and does not have enough money to support Team Great Britain during the 2012 Games.



The case will centre on whether the BOA is entitled to a share of the surplus from the Olympics alone, or the Games and Paralympics combined.



This is crucial, because the Paralympics will need to be subsidised, whereas the Olympics could turn in a small profit.