The British Olympic Association (boa) says it has “formally responded” to a legal challenge over sponsorship rights brought by a group of its own athletes that could cast a shadow over its preparations for next year’s Tokyo games.

The group, which includes Mo Farah, Katarina Johnson- Thompson, Laura Muir and Adam Gemili, are seeking to challenge an international Olympic committee rule that bars them from using their name, image or performance in advertising during the games without the IOC’s prior consent.

A spokesperson said the British Olympic Association (BOA) was trying to balance the desire for individual athletes to maximize personal sponsorship revenue with the need to preserve and enhance the current system of selling rights collectively.

Gemili, who competes in the men’s 100 and 200metres, said that the rules limiting sponsorship were “ridiculous, unjust and unfair”.