Harland adamant Weale can succeed if he wins Olympic selection battle

By Ben Baker, Sportsbeat

GEORGINA Harland is adamant should Sam Weale win his London 2012 battle with Nick Woodbridge he will be perfectly placed to deliver Britain's first-ever male modern pentathlon Olympic medal.

TWO HORSE RACE: Sam Weale would appear to be locked in a battle with Nick Woodbridge to qualify for this summer's Olympics

With less than four months of the Olympic qualification period left, Weale is seemingly locked in a straight fight with Woodbridge at present to secure one of two British men's places for this summer's Games.

That became the case after Jamie Cooke effectively assured himself a place with a fourth-place finish at the European Championships, where eight London 2012 qualifying standards were up for grabs, back in July.

Just 13 of the 36 Olympic places are now available with three on offer at the World Championships in May and eight courtesy of global rankings, where Weale is 45th to Woodbridge's 19th, come June.

This year's World Cup series, which both Brits will start in America in March, will therefore play a role in terms of rankings and Harland believes, if Weale comes out on top, the Olympic podium is a natural progression.

"Both Sam and Nick have picked up results last year and it looks like it is a head-to-head battle for that final spot," said Harland - who won Olympic bronze in Athens in 2004.

"It is difficult to separate the two and at the end of it all it will come down to who has held their head better when the pressure is on.

"The one thing I am sure of though is that whoever gets to London will do the country proud and also has a great chance of winning a medal.

"It will be tough on the one that misses out but by having this rivalry they are actually making whoever goes as best prepared as possible and in the best shape for the Games."

And, while Britain's women have medalled at the Olympics every year since they were introduced into the schedule in 2000, Harland admits it is Weale and co that excite her most.

"We have been talking for years about the girls' achievements and quite rightly having climbed the podium at every Games," she added.

"But this year I think we will finally be adding the boys to that conversation as we have some really talented guys that could all win medals at the Olympics.

"It has been a long time coming but I think it will be well worth the wait as we have some really talented boys this time around."

Georgina Harland was speaking at the Bath leg of the ‘nearest & dearest' roadshow in partnership with P&G - supporting family and friends of all Team GB and ParalympicsGB athletes in the lead up to London 2012. Visit www.pgproudsponsorofmums.co.uk for more information.

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