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 The Olympic dreams for Great Britain's rhythmic gymnastics group appear to be over after British Gymnastics elected not to send the squad to this summer's Olympic Games in London, but fans and supporters are not yet giving up. The British group failed to qualify in its own right at the recent pre-Olympic event, finishing eighth, but the host nation automatically receives an invitation from the International Gymnastics Federation. The self-funded British group scored 44.950 on the first day of competition, 0.273 below the score British Gymnastics had set as a goal. The group far surpassed the targeted score on the second day of competition, however, scoring 47.200. British Gymnastics, however, will not budge and refuse to accept the FIG invitation as host nation due to the first-day score being below the target. "This standard was designed to ensure that any performance would not only be credible, but also provide a lasting legacy for the future of the group discipline within British Gymnastics," British Gymnastics said in a statement. "Unfortunately the group from Great Britain fell short of meeting this definitive target. "In accordance with the selection process approved by the BOA (which was agreed and acknowledged by all competing Group members), British Gymnastics wishes to confirm that in line with this policy it will not be nominating a Rhythmic Gymnastics Group for inclusion into Team GB for the London 2012 Olympic Games. "British Gymnastics acknowledges the considerable commitment and improved performance shown by the Group representing Great Britain at the recent London Prepares series. To fall agonizingly short of the qualifying standard was an enormous disappointment for the Group and everyone involved in the sport of gymnastics. The Group should be assured that their performance will be the catalyst for the on-going development of the Rhythmic Group discipline within Great Britain, which we hope will lead to future World Championship and Olympic Games representation." If the British group does not go, the berth will go to alternate Switzerland. An online petition in support of the British gymnasts has collected more than 2,000 signatures so far. Click here to read the petition and click here for the full statement from British Gymnastics. External Link: British Rhythmic Group Official Website Comments (11)
Chris Walker
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... The Group then went on to beat the qualifying score by two full points the next day but still did not get the support of British Gymnastics. It is a disgrace that Bristish Gymnastics are not supporting their own team to participate in the Olympics when they have clearly shown that they are more than capable of performing at a credible standard. They should be ashamed of themselves. |
Angela Perera
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... What BG refused to consider was the group smashing the benchmark by 2 point on the 3rd day of the test event. The girls showed a more than credible performance and it is a real shame on BG for not allowing them to take up the wildcard place. There is a petition going at: http://www.gopetition.com/peti...page9.html if anyone would like to support their appeal to BG please take a moment to sign it. They are totally self funded, so it's not going to cost BG; it can only do good for the sport in Great Britain. |
Don G. Anweiler
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... British Gymnastics should be ashamed of themselves. These young ladies have proven by their second scores that they can compete at an Olympic level This decision I presume was made by some beauracratic jackasses who have no idea the time, effort, dedication that these young ladies have given. |
A person
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... I just thought I'd say british gymnastics aren't the ones stopping them, it's the BOA (british olympic association) it's a whole different organization |
Briohnyg
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... What a shame for the hard work of these girls and their coaches. This really doesn't encourage the real spirit of the Olympics. It's not just about the winners, but also the efforts of everybody and the true spirit of sportsmanship. |
Steve Robertson
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... Yes the Olympics is a competition where the best go to perform their best, on that day. This group has been invited to go and should be allowed to go and given the chance to be the best in the world, on that day! It appears their scores improved each day and did surpass their initial goals on the third day. Whomever has made this decision should reconsider their choice and allow these girls to live their dreams as well as their coaches and their country. Just think what would be said if one of these girls wins a medal no matter what the color is?? A decision that should be reconsidered for sure |
Joseph Mota
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What nerve How DARE they DENY a chance for an athlete to become an Olympian. I am appalled and outraged. I am passing this on to all my friends. |
LG
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... It would be good if someone clarified which organization is actually at fault here: BOA or BG. While I can understand the idea of wanting to make sure that we are not subjected to another Eddie the Eagle, governing organizations should live up to their obligations when an athlete or group of athletes meet or exceed a target score. |
Keri
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... What a load of crap. I HATE when national Olympic committees pull BS like this. The FIG or IOC should consider a penalty for federations that pull athletes based on "Additional Qualification Criteria" - maybe suspend the federation from competition for the next quad or something. It's so unfair to the athletes. (And hit them where it hurts - suspend them from ALL disciplines) |
Alison Clements
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... I wish the British girls could go. However the comment I really want to make is more about artistic gymnastics. That is - the former 3 per country rule, now 2 per country rule, is present to ensure that the sport is internationally well-represented. If countries refuse to send gymnasts on the ground that they can't win, it isn't going to result in the paying public seeing more gymnasts who can win. That's because Russia, China, the USA, Romania already have their maximum 2 allocation in the competition. Rather, we'll just see more gymnasts from the bottom of the qualification ... who also can't win. The world of gymnastics needs to decide whether we want to see: - a competition between the best ... in which case abolish a cap on the number of gymnasts from a particular country altogether; or - a competition which balances the best from a broad spectrum of nations ... in which case keep the cap, but don't let countries apply their own more stringent criteria if the competitor has met the competition's qualification criteria. |
