Despite Britain's success during the Olympics, Lord Moynihan, the country's Olympic chief, has bemoaned the fact that a disproportionate number of gold medalists are the product of private education.

According to Lord Moynihan, that more than 50 per cent of medalists at the last Games in Beijing came from independent schools is something that should concern those in the state sector and the government, too.

The fact that half of Britain's medals come from a sector that represents a mere seven per cent of the population is, he said, the "worst statistics in British sport".

Consequently, he has called on the government to redress the balance by overhauling the approach of state schools towards sport.

"There is so much talent out there in the 93% that should be identified and developed," he commented.

"That has got to be a priority for future sports policy. I have spoken about it many times and I will continue to speak about it until there is not breath left in me."

A number of advocates of the private model have argued that its success is based on the idea that competition is actively encouraged in such schools.

By contrast, they claim that state schools tow a politically correct line, thereby sending out the message that winning is not too important.

However, those on the other side of the debate have pointed out that football - the country's most popular sport - is dominated by people from a working-class background, suggesting that much of the alleged underachievement can be linked to a lack of opportunities, not a lack of talent.

"Football is different, it is an interesting example," Lord Moynihan reflected. "The balance of professional football is that around seven per cent of players come from the private sector, which is an absolute mirror image of society.

"That should be the case in every single sport and that should be the priority in each and every sport and that is something that every government should strive for."

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