For the last winter Games in Turin in 2006, PA Sport sent just two reporters but that figure is being increased to 13 this time round including, for the first time, two video journalists.

The agency's Olympics editor Scott Dougal said: "The decision to increase our team is a sign of our commitment to cover the Olympic story between now and 2012.

"We are already staffing more events in more Olympic sports than ever before and are dedicated to providing strong coverage of Paralympic sport."

Managing director of PA Sport Ian Campbell added: "The Winter Olympics will showcase the strength of our editorial team and the quality of work they produce, as we look towards the 2012 Olympics."

Britain has medal hopes of in several events during the Games which get under way on Friday and run until 28 February.

PA Sport says it will be providing "comprehensive coverage of the British team as well as the pick of the international stories, in words, pictures and video."