SAfrican govt, lottery gives $14M for Olympics

JOHANNESBURG (AP) - South Africa's government and national lottery say they are contributing more than $14 million to help athletes prepare for the London Olympics.

The lottery has provided $10.2 million over three years, while the ministry of sport and recreation announced an additional $4.4 million for the Olympic effort.

Minister of Sport Fikile Mbalula said Friday it was "an attempt to boost the morale of our teams.''

South Africa is hoping to turn around a poor showing at the 2008 Beijing Games when it won just one medal - silver in the men's long jump.

That marked South Africa's worst performance since returning to the 1992 Olympics after apartheid ended.