Phil Lane ready for challenge of 2012

British Paralympic Association chief executive Phil Lane has warned that there is more hard work ahead as the team work towards London 2012.

In Beijing, Great Britain were second in the medal table behind China but Lane insists there is no room for complacency.

"We have to look at what we have achieved and be ruthless at improving standards," he said.

"We need to rise to the challenge of competing in a home Games in 2012."

Speaking at the launch of ParalympicsGB's Beijing report, Lane praised the achievements of Britain's team in China where they came away with 102 medals, including 42 golds, but warned of other nations catching up.

"This was an extraordinary performance achieved with the pressure of following a successful Olympics and in the backyard of a dominant home nation," he said.

"In what was the most competitive Games I have known, the GB team was the best prepared and best organised to leave these shores and our athletes rose magnificently to the challenge.

"But to retain our place in the medal table in the future will be a test.

"The USA have regrouped and pushed us close for second in the table, Russia are much more prominent and nations like the Ukraine, Brazil and South Africa are making huge strides.

"It means that there is more pressure on established Paralympic nations and we have to be strong and find those small margins which can keep us in front and hold off both new and old rivals."

However, with many anticipating a cut in resources when UK Sport announces the ongoing funding for Olympic and Paralympic sports next week, Lane is keen that the money is channelled in the most effective way.

He says they will need a figure in the region of £6-7m over the next four years to 'back existing winning habits and break new ground.'

"We are the envy of other nations because of what we have achieved but we want to build on our winning formula and challenge sports which didn't achieve in Beijing," he said.

Lane also added that they would be working on developing new talent and ensuring that the 2012 organisers deliver a Games current and future athletes.

But he refused to be drawn on UK Sport's hopes that the British team would be in a position to top the medal standings in London.

"There would be be no greater crowning glory than to top the medal table but we are realistic about the situation.

"We all know that if China turn up in London with the volume of numbers we know they have and with investment they will be a difficult set of opponents.

"But we will do our best to strive and if we get the funding right we will be right."