Tax-free grants for athletes could lead to a gold rush

AN Irish gold rush at the 2012 London Olympics could be triggered by awarding our best hopes tax-free grants to fund their training regimes, Labour last night claimed.

The initiative was one of a raft of measures outlined by party leader Pat Rabbitte aimed at boosting participation in sport.

Increased funding from the Lotto would be used to pay for the tax breaks for athletes, similar to those given to artists.