Baku European Games 2015: Moldova's taekwondo star Aaron Cook has no regrets over switching allegiance

'The national anthem doesn't mean that much to me any more,' says fighter left out of Team GB for London 2012

Aaron Cook training in 2011, before he switched his allegiance (Getty Images)

Taekwondo star Aaron Cook has spoken publicly for the first time since turning his back on Great Britain and switching his allegiance to Moldova.

The world No 2 left the British set-up after being controversially overlooked for London 2012 and is representing Moldova here after changing nationality.

Cook, who was born in Dorchester and has no previous links with the small eastern European state, has claimed the British national anthem “does not mean that much to me any more” as he prepares to compete in the 80kg division on Thursday.

“I am fighting for myself,” he said. “It is exactly the same mat, the same arena. It is just that I have different letters on the back of my suit. Moldova have given me all the support I need, so I am extremely grateful for everything they have done. The national anthem does not really mean that much to me any more.”

Cook fought for Team GB at Beijing 2008 but, despite being world No 1 at the time, was reportedly left out of the team at London 2012 because he decided to quit the British programme in 2011. GB Taekwondo has always denied this but the 24-year-old has refused to compete under the British flag since his Olympic snub.

He had fought for the Isle of Man since 2013 but was cleared to switch nations this year after receiving funding from a Moldovan billionaire, Igor Iuzefovici.

Cook could now find himself fighting against Lutalo Muhammad, the British athlete who was selected in his place at London 2012 and went on to win a bronze medal.

Baku is hosting the inaugural European Games