SHOT putter Scot Lincoln's bid for Olympic glory has been hampered by a lack of financial support.

The British number one, who represents City of York Athletic Club, insists that qualification for this summer's Rio games is still within 'touching distance'.

However, Lincoln - a builder from Northallerton - now has only a fortnight to reach the required 20.50m Olympic qualifying standard and has been omitted from the British Athletics squad for next week's European Athletics Championships in Holland.

The irony of the situation is that Lincoln needs to be pushed by higher quality European competition - such is his current superiority over his British rivals.

"I am desperate to reach the qualifying standard because I get so much pride from wearing the Great Britain vest and I want to do that at the Olympics," he said. "Coming into this year, I was thinking that qualification would be an uphill struggle but it's within touching distance now and I am going for it. My throwing has improved in training but I still need the right conditions and competition to push me on."

According to COYAC coach Paul Wilson, Lincoln's chances of Olympic qualification have not been helped by a lack of funding and sponsorship.

"Scott is so far ahead in British shot putting that he needs to be travelling to Europe most weekends to be pushed," said Wilson. "But there are times when he cannot really afford to go or I cannot afford to accompany him. He has to find his own money for flights and hotels and he is also commuting to and from York every week for training.

"There is no other funding available," Wilson added. "It would be a massive help if he could find someone out there to sponsor him."

Still only 23, Lincoln threw 19.03m last weekend to win the British championship in Birmingham but is only allowed to represent Britain in Rio if he throws 20.50m. His personal best is 19.83m.

This weekend, he will be representing his other club, City of Liverpool, in a British Athletics League fixture at Birmingham.

His growing profile has led to a Diamond League invitation for the London Anniversary Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 23.

"That will be a great test for me," said Lincoln. "I was hoping to get an invite and I am really pleased because it means I will be up against the top two or three throwers in the world."

Anyone interested in sponsoring Scott Lincoln should contact Paul Wilson via email paulthecoach@hotmail.co.uk