Britain cleared for beach volleyball bid

British men's and women's beach volleyball teams have been given the opportunity to qualify for the 2012 Olympics under host nation rules, the British Olympic Association (BOA) said yesterday.

Britain has not had a team in either event since it was introduced in the 1996 Atlanta Games. The teams have been given the green light to utilise Host Nation Places but need to meet the national governing body's selection criteria, which will be agreed with the BOA Olympic Qualifying Standards Panel. "It is encouraging that Britain's beach volleyball players are within reach of having the opportunity to represent Team GB in the Olympic Games for the first time," said Andy Hunt, BOA chief executive and Team GB chef de mission.