All GB athletes receive two tickets for their first Games appearance through the British Olympic Association.

However, UKA will now fund two tickets for each round after that in a move aimed at ensuring that athletes can rely on their family support to the final.

Chief executive Niels de Vos has labelled the move a 'performance decision', stating the less athletes have to worry about the more they can focus on success in London.

It means athletes could be in line to receive up to five pairs of tickets across the 20 athletics sessions, including the race walk and marathon, at the Olympics.

Performance

"This is essentially a performance decision - the last thing we want athletes to be worrying about is the cost or availability of tickets for their mum and dad, boyfriend or girlfriend, husband or wife," explained de Vos.

"But it is also about recognising that without the massive support and sacrifice of friends and family, over many years, most athletes would never have made it to elite level.

"As soon as UKA heard we could access these tickets from the organisers, we made the decision to purchase them on behalf of our team, so no athlete need worry about either the availability or cost of getting their loved ones into the stadium."

Pole vaulter Holly Bleasdale said: "For me, having people close to me there and supporting me is a big boost. I always compete to my best when I'm at my happiest, so to hear this is great."