Wrestling: Team GB has to grapple with questions over Butkevych

 

Thursday 09 August 2012 21:39 BST
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British Wrestling's performance director, Shaun Morley, brushed off suggestions that Ukraine-born Olga Butkevych (pictured) should not have been in Team GB
British Wrestling's performance director, Shaun Morley, brushed off suggestions that Ukraine-born Olga Butkevych (pictured) should not have been in Team GB (PA)

British Wrestling was forced to defend its selection policy after Ukraine-born Olga Butkevych was knocked out of the 55kg freestyle women's event inside six minutes.

The Ukraine-born Butkevych, who gained British citizenship in May, had hoped to reach the quarter-finals but found Lissette Alexandra Antes Castillo of Ecuador too good in the first round.

British Wrestling's performance director, Shaun Morley, brushed off suggestions that Butkevych should not have been in Team GB and insisted the future was bright for the sport in this country.

"I think it was obvious to everyone that Olga has got the quality to compete at that level – those questions are ridiculous," he said. "I think Olga just has to learn from the experience and move on to the next level.

"I'm hoping that a lot of young kids will take inspiration from Olga, and the rest of the team here, and come into the sport."

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