LONDON 2012: British rhythmic gymnasts confident in selection appeal case

By Sportsbeat staff

GREAT BRITAIN'S rhythmic gymnastics team are delighted their bid to secure a host nations' place at the London 2012 Olympics will now be considered at an independent appeal.

LAST HOPE: Great Britain's unfunded rhythmic gymnastics team are still hopeful they can be selected for the London 2012 Olympics. An appeal will rule on February 29th

Sport Resolutions will consider the case next Wednesday and if successful it is understood British Gymnastics will recommend the British Olympic Association take up the place for a group to compete at London 2012. 

The seven-strong group travelled to the test event last December in the firm belief that they needed to achieve a set score during the three days of the competition to meet the standard set by Team GB officials.

But, they claim, after the second day of competition they were told only the opening two days counted, meaning they missed out by just 0.273 marks. They went on to comfortably exceed the required score on the third day.

“We’re looking forward to the appeal,” said coach Sarah Moon, who is still putting the team through full-time training at their University of Bath base.

“The girls put an incredible amount of effort into preparing for the test event and they were really disappointed to be told they weren’t going to the Olympics.

“We firmly believe that they achieved the qualification score as set down in the selection policy and we hope common sense will prevail.”