British Olympic chiefs today defended the way they prepared athletes for the Beijing Games after boxer Bradley Saunders said he was "happy to lose" because he had been "homesick".

The light-welterweight and medal prospect complained after defeat last night to Frenchman Alexis Vastine of the "pressure" and said he was looking forward to being home.

The controversial departure of Saunders, who has received around £140,000 in public funding over the last two years, comes after world amateur champion Frankie Gavin missed out on the Olympics after failing to make the weight in his lightweight category.

But the British Olympic Association, who are responsible for preparing the Team GB squad, insisted: "We have done everything humanly possible. If there is anything they need then they can ask us. But, ultimately, it is down to the individual athletes."

Britain's boxers acclimatised with other sports at a training camp in Macau before moving into the Olympic village.

The BOA kitted out each room with extra comforts and Saunders would have been able to meet friends and family out in Beijing at a BOA hospitality centre.

A spokesman for UK Sport, who have channelled £265m into the Olympics and Paralympics, said boxing had made "great strides" by increasing their squad from one in Athens to eight in Beijing.