Gold-winning boxer backs legacy campaign for top-class facilities

The gold medallist said everyone should have access to top-class facilities and called for proper targets to ensure that the Games leave lasting benefits for sport in the capital.

DeGale, 22, from Harlesden, who beat Cuban Emilio Correa Jr to claim a historic middleweight gold in Beijing, said: "I am delighted to back the campaign. It is fantastic to have a charter like this that sets out some real goals and objectives.

"It's really important to me that there are better facilities in place to get sport out to the grass roots, as that is where it all comes from. The people who make the talent are the coaches at the local clubs - they produce it in the first place."

One of those coaches, who finds and nurtures local talent, has called for a fairer distribution of funds.

Kilburn boxing trainer Isola Akay has developed a string of champions including heavyweight Frank Bruno. But he said 2012 medal hopes are under threat because of a lack of financial backing.

He said: "All the funding is being concentratedon the elite athletes, but it is needed at grass roots level."

Boris Johnson has cited Mr Akay's All Stars gym in West Kilburn as a template for tackling teenage gang culture and the trainer has launched a talent search to identify young Olympic hopefuls.

But he is forced to rely on coaches who offer their services for free and his Olympic squad of 15 teenage boys is making do with second-hand equipment. He is now looking at corporate sponsorship to keep the programme going.

Mr Akay said: "These boys have the talent and determination to be winners and they will be at the right age in four years. We're not talking a lot of money. Maybe a few thousand pounds a year for each boy.

"It's for basic things like training tops, shorts, gloves. Some of them can't afford the bus ticket to get here, but they walk miles if they have to."

One of the most promising Olympic hopefuls, 15-year-old Obi Egbunike, is forced to rely on loans from his friends just to cover the £2 gym subscription. Mr Akay said: "Unless something goes wrong, Obi has a real chance of doing well. I've seen a lot of fighters and he has the strength and determination to win."

Obi, a GCSE student at Acton High School, said: "My dream is to win a medal in London and I'm training hard to reach that goal. But I don't think there's enough support for boxing.

"I can't ask my mum for money for boxing so sometimes I ask my friends and sometimes I can't pay.

"I know Mr Akay will still let me train, but I don't like doing that.

"My gloves used to be my older brother's and my dad bought me a headguard, but it's hard to get the money for things like training tops and shorts. Just a little money would allow me to focus on the boxing without having to worry about things."