Sports minister Tracey Crouch has hailed the spectacular performance of Team GB at the Rio Olympics - saying other parts of government should learn from its success.

The Chatham and Aylesford MP, who visited Rio in her capacity as minister, said the team’s sensational record haul of medals must be used to increase grassroots participation.

Each gold medal won by UK Olympians is said to have cost just over £4m in lottery and exchequer funding. However, an analysis by the Sport Industry Research Centre says that equates to just £1.09 per year in public funding for each Briton.

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The minister, in an article for Conservative Home, said the Rio results had confounded the sceptics.

"There were many, post London 2012, that predicted we would never see such success at an Olympic Games again and that there would be a long-term hangover following the amazing party that was our home Olympics, but they were wrong," she said.

"Not only did they underestimate the dedication of the athletes but also the commitment of a Conservative Government that understands what drives success.”

“Across government we can learn lessons from the success of TeamGB and build upon it in other areas of policy.”

Britain’s historic second place in the league table was a testament to the millions being poured into elite athletes, she added.

“It is a system that is proven to work – Beijing, through to London, London through to Rio – with a professional approach that keeps being improved upon.”

Elite athletes benefited to the tune of £274m to boost their chances at Rio.

“Rio has shown once more how sport can lift the spirit of the nation and bring the country together and as part of our sport strategy, we’re going to use Team GB’s success to encourage even more people to get involved.”

Speaking before the Rio games, the MP acknowledged that participation rates were flatlining.

“What we are seeing is a stagnation and flatlining in participation which peaked in 2012 immediately after the games; what we want to do is to continue that growth, which is why I have published the sports strategy. We want to reenergise and re-invigorate what has been going on.”