1. 5 updates

BOA to rule on Taekwondo row

The British Olympic Association is expected to announce a decision on whether Taekwondo star Aaron Cook should be selected for London 2012. He is the world number one but GB Taekwondo want to select world number 59 Lutalo Muhammad instead.

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Sports Minister Hugh Robertson: Olympic taekwondo row 'embarrassing'

The Sports Minister Hugh Robertson has described the Olympic taekwondo row as "embarrassing".

He said:

"My line in this is a very simple one. I want us to win as many gold medals as possible at London 2012.

"My concern is to ensure that we select the very best possible team which gives us the best chance of winning medals and particularly gold medals.

"I do not have a formal role in selecting which athletes form part of GB.

"Is it embarrassing for us? The answer to that is yes because you would rather not see our sports getting criticised by their international federations."

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Aaron Cook's coach on his omission from Team GB Taekwondo's squad

Aaron Cook's coach, Patrice Remarck has spoken about the controversy over him being overlooked for the GB Taekwondo's team selection.

The British Olympic Association and The WorldTakewondo Federation have announced two separate reviews in light of the decision.

Speaking at a press conference, he said he could not understand the decision and added: "People don't understand how one of the best fighters in the world will not be at the Olympics."

GB Taekwondo's Dr Steve Peters: Selectors acted honestly

The integrity of Great Britain Taekwondo's selectors should not be called into question in the growing row over world number one Aaron Cook, according to non-executive director Dr Steve Peters.

Peters, a respected sports psychiatrist who has observed the selection process at close-quarters in his role at GB Taekwondo, insists a honest appraisal has been made in nominating Muhammad in the under-80kg division ahead of Cook, who leads the world and Olympic rankings

"It is a bit unfair on the coaches that their integrity has been called into question,"

"They are honest people trying to give an honest opinion and if we can't trust them it is becoming a little bit sad.

"The opinion of people in the room was that they were both capable of going to the Olympics and getting a gold medal.

"The coaches were in an incredibly impossible position faced with two exceptional lads, neither of whom deserved to be in this position.

"It is not a 60/40 decision in favour of one, it is more like 51/49."

BOA ruling expected on Aaron Cook Taekwondo selection for Team GB

Aaron Cook is threatening legal action after being overlooked for a third time by the GB Taekwondo's selectors Credit: PA

The British Olympic Association is expected to announce a decision on whether Taekwondo star Aaron Cook should be selected for London 2012.

He is the world number one but GB Taekwondo want to select world number 59 Lutalo Muhammad instead for the games.

Cook has also threatened legal action after being overlooked for a third time by the Great Britain Taekwondo's selectors.

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