An organization that supports high-performance athletes and coaches in Atlantic Canada says the money the New Brunswick government is saving by not sponsoring the Olympics should be put back into sports.

New Brunswick is the only province that opted not to sponsor the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics.

The Canadian Sport Centre Atlantic has no problem with the province spending less on Olympic sponsorship, said spokesman Evan MacInnes. But the difference should go to New Brunswick athletes, he said.

"If they were going to either support the Olympic Games or invest in athletes, which would then eventually qualify for the Olympic Games, then it would be smarter to move to support local athletes."

Funding for local athletes has not been increased since 1985 and was actually cut last year, said MacInnes. He contends the province should be doing more to support local athletes.

"You look at other provinces, they have invested in sport,' MacInnes said. "They realize the benefits, and they're already seeing an increase, whether it's more participation, healthier communities through an increased Canada Games performance and high performance athletes. And Nova Scotia is a perfect example of that."

Earlier this week, the Minister of Wellness, Culture and Sport defended the province's decision not to sponsor the Winter Games.

Hédard Albert said the deal would have cost the province $1.5-million, plus another $1.5 million in associated costs.

Instead, the province is spending $1.2 million to participate in two pavilions at the Olympics, which he said will give the province more exposure than the sponsorship deal.

"We think that during difficult times, it's a better place to put the money," Albert said.