THE cash strapped organisers of the World Curling Championships have been forced to beg $400,000 from the IOC to ensure the sport is able to make its Olympic debut in Nagano next year.

The World Curling Federation (WCF) will not officially become part of the Olympic family for another year but has successfully applied for a cash advance to ease its mounting financial problems.

Last year's world championships in Ontario, Canada lost a reported $400,000 and the Berne organisers lure bracing themselves for an even bigger loss this time.

Normally, Olympic funds are distributed to the different member sports by the IOC after each Olympic Games.