British Fencing insist Keith Cook not selected for Olympics on performance grounds

 

British Fencing maintain Keith Cook was not selected for the Olympics on performance grounds.

Scotsman Cook is refusing to give up on his Olympic dream after British Fencing rejected his appeal against exclusion from the London 2012 squad and has taken legal advice.

Cook, the 2010 British champion and five-time Commonwealth Games medallist, was not named in the 10-strong group, with eight of the team chosen on a discretionary basis under the Host Nation places rules after only two fencers qualified directly.

The 31-year-old, who opted out of British Fencing's 'Olympic Pathway' two years ago for family reasons, was told in correspondence from British Fencing officials - copies of which have been seen by Press Association Sport - that while he was included in general discussions for selection, because performance manager Alex Newton had not been given his contact details as set out in Section 13 of the selection policy document, he was not informed that he had not been selected and the deadline for any appeal had passed.

Cook, ranked 95th in the world and still in the British top six having battled against recent injury, has been left "utterly sickened" by the saga, and believes proper procedure was not followed.

However, British Fencing have always maintained their selection process is transparent, with several fencers having seen their appeals against non-selection already rejected.

A statement from British Fencing to Press Association Sport read: "For the unique 2012 Host Nation places, British Fencing has followed a robust selection process, agreed (after athlete agreement) with the BOA some 18 months ago.

"Keith Cook was not nominated to the BOA for selection for Team GB by the Olympic Selection Panel - an independent Panel, established by British Fencing as part of the selection process - because Keith did not qualify, he did not meet standards and performance requirements for selection to the Men's Foil squad. Several other athletes were placed above him.

"Whilst 25 other athletes participated in the selection process, Keith did not. Regardless of his oversight, he was considered for selection by the selection panel.

"British Fencing has followed the selection process professionally and fairly.

"Five appeals have now been heard by the Sports Resolution UK panel and all have been rejected.

"We do understand Keith Cook's disappointment. We have attempted to speak to Keith to talk through the process with him and his concerns, but he has declined.

"Mr. Cook has always been an excellent ambassador for the sport of fencing and we very much hope he continues to be in the future.

"Despite this unfortunate situation we will still continue to support him should he want us to."

Britain's top fencer Richard Kruse, who qualified directed for the London Games, delivered a bronze medal at the European Championships in Italy this weekend. Jim van Wijk

PA

Independent Comment
blog comments powered by Disqus
Caption competition
Caption competition
News in pictures
World news in pictures
Sport blogs

iBet: Back Spain to shut out Tahiti

The spread betting firms are very slow about pricing up this game and you can understand why. All th...

by Gareth Purnell

iBet: Look To The Lady In The Prince Of Wales

The Prince of Wales Stakes today is regarded by many as the No1 race of the Royal Ascot meeting and ...

by Gareth Purnell

iBet: Favourites have a good record in the Coventry stakes

Today’s St James Palace looks a cracker and there has been sustained money for Dawn Approach since t...

by Gareth Purnell

       
 

Day In a Page

Babies behind bars: A Palestinian fertility doctor has become an unlikely hero by helping women conceive – even though their husbands are in jail

Babies behind bars

A Palestinian fertility doctor has become an unlikely hero by helping women conceive – even though their husbands are in jail
Sonic youth: The high-pitched sound alarm for under 25s

Sonic youth: The high-pitched sound alarm

Is Mosquito, the alarm only under-25s can hear, a blessing or a bane?
The art of living in small spaces: Architects are learning how to make less, more

The art of living in small spaces

Space in cities at a premium so architects are learning how to make less, more...
Special report: The story of Sir Mervyn King's reign at the Bank

The story of Sir Mervyn King's reign at the Bank

After four 'nice' years as Governor of Bank of England, things turned decisively nasty
Zombie nation: Our enduring fascination with a world full of death and destruction

Zombie nation: Our fascination with death and destruction

A new season of shows on Radio 4 is inspired by dark tales of future dystopias. Meanwhile, zombies are marauding in the multiplexes...
Martin Stephen: 'Ofsted says comprehensives are failing the most able but teaching bright children isn't rocket science'

'Teaching bright children isn't rocket science'

It doesn't take a selective system to nurture the best minds, says a former head of St Paul's boys' school.
The retail empires strike back: Can new technology lure us back to the high street?

Can technology lure us back to the high street?

The high street has been bruised and battered by online firms but in-store technology is helping to enliven the retail experience...
The 10 Best new smartphones

The 10 Best new smartphones

Photos, films, music, apps and browsing - the latest mobiles can do it all
Jenson Button: Downbeat driver cannot wait to put season behind him

Jenson Button: Downbeat driver cannot wait to put season behind him

McLaren man admits 'failed gamble' with car has left him pinning hopes on 2014 campaign
James Lawton: Firmer fist will be required to win Champions Trophy final battle with stouter foe

James Lawton

Firmer fist will be required to win Champions Trophy final battle with stouter foe
'To farm I have to rape the countryside. It’s got to be wrong': The true effect of the badger cull

The true effect of the badger cull

'To farm I have to rape the countryside. It’s got to be wrong'
Theatre review: Daniel Radcliffe gives an admirably honest performance in Michael Grandage's The Cripple of Inishmaan

First night: The Cripple of Inishmaan

Daniel Radcliffe gives an admirably honest performance in Michael Grandage's comedy
Girls Guides drop religious reference but pledge to self and the Queen

Guides drop religious reference but pledge to self and the Queen

After 103 years, organisation changes oath to welcome 'all girls, of all faiths, and none'
Steve Tongue: Joe Kinnear was one of the boys and a breath of fresh air... 21 years ago

Steve Tongue

Joe Kinnear was one of the boys and a breath of fresh air... 21 years ago
Chris Froome: Free from 'pain in neck' after Bradley Wiggins' exit

Chris Froome: Free from 'pain in neck' after Wiggins' exit

Sky's lead rider says he is in fantastic form for the Tour and happy pecking order debate is over