The cyclist, who will be part of the team pursuit squad defending their title in London, told Sky Sports: "It's disappointing the way they've been allocated.

"Myself at the minute, I've got two, so there's my mum, my dad, my brother and my girlfriend who all want one.

"I might just throw them in the air and do a runner!"

Thomas is one of several high-profile athletes to speak out about the lack of tickets for competitors and their loved ones.

Corporate

Many are concerned the venues will be largely filled with corporate sponsors rather than real sports fans, taking away from the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to compete in front of a home crowd.

And the Welshman has every reason to believe he will be giving those in the velodrome something to cheer this summer.

After suffering defeat at the hands of Australia at the World Cup in London this year, he and his team-mates turned the tables at the recent World Championships in Melbourne.

Breaking their own world record, Team GB claimed gold, to lay down an important marker ahead of the London Games.

"We knew we were going to improve but it's still great to go to Melbourne and win over there, especially in their back yard," he said.

"To do a world record as well was just the icing on the cake, and made it all the more special.

"We can improve by another couple of seconds I'm sure, so I think there's going to be some fast times out there (at the Olympics)."

No Tour

To compete at the London Olympics, Thomas has had to sacrifice his chances at the biggest bike race in the world this year, the Tour de France.

The decision prompted his coach, Shane Sutton, to suggest he was allowing patriotism to blind him into making the wrong choice.

"I think a lot of that was blown out of proportion, but a part of what Shane was saying about being Welsh was true," he said.

"It definitely adds a bit more importance to it, and there aren't many gold medal hopefuls in Wales.

"It is part of the reason but it's also just the fact that I've always loved watching Games and wanted to be a part of it.

"At the end of the day it's up to me...and I'm putting all my eggs in that basket."

For Thomas, the sacrifice will be worth it for another Olympic gold, but nothing less will do.

"That's what I wanted at the start of the year - to go to London to win gold. That's why I've missed the Tour to not jeopardise my chances of doing that in any way.

"Hopefully it will be enough, and I'll have no regrets or excuses come the day."