Paula Radcliffe hits out at Olympic spending

British athlete Paula Radcliffe believes that the increase in the Olympic budget is "frivolous" considering the current status of the economy.

It emerged on Monday that up to £41m of taxpayers' money will be added to the London Games' budget, despite the government already spending £1 billion on security and an additional £271m for the event.

"I think it is a little bit frivolous to throw a lot at it, given the fact we are in a recession," the Daily Mail quotes Radcliffe as saying. "The money could be thrown at other areas such as grass-roots sports.

"The Games are costing quite a bit as it is and it would be better off spent in ways which would give more back long term."

Meanwhile, the 37-year-old has been selected as a member of the Great Britain Olympic team.