LONDON 2012: Team GB reject decision to select Muhammad ahead of world number one Cook

By Sportsbeat staff

AARON Cook's hopes of London 2012 selection have been boosted after Team GB officials rejected British Taekwondo's decision to pick unknown quantity Lutalo Muhammad in his place.

BELIEF: Aaron Cook, the world number one in taekwondo's welterweight division, claims it is 'incredible' he hasn't been selected for the London 2012 Olympics - with supporters citing his ongoing dispute with team officials as a cause (Getty Images)

The two-time European champion, who was today confirmed as world number one in the sport's welterweight division, slammed as 'incredible' the decision to overlook him in preference to Muhammad, who is ranked 56th in the world.

Cook believes his choice to train outside of the team's official set-up is the sole reason for his non-selection, although Gary Hall, Team GB's taekwondo team leader, is believed to have fought his corner with fellow selectors.

And after a meeting between the British Olympic Association's qualification standard panel and British Taekwondo officials it appears Team GB chiefs, including chef de mission Andy Hunt and former England rugby coach Sir Clive Woodward, agree with the 21-year old, who was previously considered when of Great Britain's top medal hopes.

Indeed, the four-strong BOA panel, which also included deputy chef de mission Mark England and athletes' representative Sarah Winckless, were unanimous in their decision that something wasn't right.

They urged the sport to reconvene their selection panel at the earliest opportunity and demanded they had an observer at the meeting to ensure correct protocols were followed.

It's a rare move by the BOA to reject the nomination of a national governing body but they insisted it was not within their power to name a replacement.

© Sportsbeat 2012