British athlete Paula Radcliffe believes that the increase in the Olympic budget is "frivolous" considering the current status of the economy.

It emerged on Monday that up to £41m of taxpayers' money will be added to the London Games' budget, despite the government already spending £1 billion on security and an additional £271m for the event.

"I think it is a little bit frivolous to throw a lot at it, given the fact we are in a recession," the Daily Mail quotes Radcliffe as saying. "The money could be thrown at other areas such as grass-roots sports.

"The Games are costing quite a bit as it is and it would be better off spent in ways which would give more back long term."

Meanwhile, the 37-year-old has been selected as a member of the Great Britain Olympic team.