Britain will have a 14-strong team of judo players taking part in London 2012, with places for seven men and seven women.
BOA approves places for 14 in London 2012 judo competition
Britain will have a 14-strong team of judo players taking part in London 2012, with places for seven men and seven women in the event allocated by the British Olympic Association.
British judokas have been given the green light for host nation qualification places at London 2012, after satisfying the BOA of the quality of athletes and the legacy their inclusion would leave in the sport.
With current world bronze medallist Euan Burton and seven-time world medallist Karina Bryant in their ranks, the British Judo Association (BJA) made a strong case.
"I am delighted that 14 British judokas will have the opportunity to compete at London 2012," said BOA chief executive Andy Hunt.
"The athletes will now be able to focus on meeting their selection criteria and preparing themselves for competing in front of an enthusiastic home crowd in London.
Confident
"I'm confident that our judokas will grasp this special opportunity to inspire future generations of judo players across the UK.
"In Beijing four years ago, Team GB included seven judokas and we are hopeful that the Olympic experience gained by the likes of current world bronze medallist Euan Burton will stand them in good stead for success in London."
Burton, who has won two bronze medals at world level, is hoping to achieve the highest honour by pushing for a medal at a home Olympics.
"It will be an honour for any athlete to compete in the London 2012 Olympic Games," said Burton. "As a European and World medallist I have stood on some significant medal podiums, but nothing could compare with a gold in London.
"Judo kicks off the Games during the first week and we will be aiming to make the country proud. I am doing everything I can to prepare myself to be in the best possible shape. I will strive to continue putting in world class performances to gain selection for Team GB."
The experience Bryant added: "Last year I won my 20th major medal of my career, but my dream is to win an Olympic medal. I am hopeful that children will be inspired to take up the sport from watching the British judo team perform."
Thrilled
BJA chairman Densign White was thrilled with the news that 14 places will be up for grabs for the home judokas.
"We are absolutely delighted with the number of host nation Qualification places awarded as it will allow us to build a strong team for London but also, critically, to look ahead to 2016," White said.
"I am grateful for the support from the BOA and the confidence they have shown in British Judo to deliver."
BOA director of sport Sir Clive Woodward has no doubts that the British judo players will put up a strong performance for the home crowd in London.
"There are exciting young prospects being developed in British judo and it was great to see European under-23 Champion Ashley McKenzie - a 21-year-old Londoner - win his first senior World Cup last month in Warsaw," said Woodward.
"We believe that participating in London 2012 will give judo in the UK a huge boost and create a platform for future success in Rio 2016 and beyond."
