British Judo performance director Margaret Hicks insists there will be no complacency from Britain¿s Olympians despite them having guaranteed places for London 2012.
Host nation places will not lower standards says judo chief
British Judo performance director Margaret Hicks insists there will be no complacency from Britain's Olympians despite them having guaranteed places for London 2012.
The British Olympic Association has awarded 14 host nation qualification places for British judo players, but officials insist this will not lead to complacency.
After failing to occupy the podium in Beijing, British Judo is eager to get a medal in London, and Hicks says they will be setting the highest standards possible for their judo stars.
"We were very clear in our negotiations with the BOA that we wanted performance standards," Hicks said.
"But what we wanted was flexibility to be able to bring the team to London reaching the right standards - that does not necessarily mean we will have a full team, if certain fighters do not make those required standards.
Medals
"We are very much looking at consistency of medals and top eight places in IJF qualifying events, which are tough competitions.
"Also where we maybe don't have guys at that level, then perhaps we can be looking towards Rio, where we can take consideration of young development as well."
Hicks continued: "We had all the team together at the Performance Institute in Dartford during November and went through with them very carefully what we were looking to propose with the BOA.
"We felt that would give use the best opportunity to really bring the best out of our players. That has been communicated to all of our players, we have put those performance standards on our website.
"There is just some small details in the qualifications policy to be finalised. We have to stay focused, and look to make progression every day.
"Everybody is aware now of what they have to do to make the required standard for consideration for selection in the team at London 2012."
Tradition
Despite the disappointment of Beijing, Britain does have a proud Olympic record, from Brian Jacks at Munich in 1972 through Neil Adams' two silvers and Kate Howey, who claimed silver in Sydney 11 years ago.
Hopes are high Team GB will be well represented in the medal fights at London.
A strong squad will head out to Turkey for the European Championships over Easter, where the likes of Scottish fighter Euan Burton will look to continue their quest to peak at London 2012.
"We have targeted two medals, the range is one to three," Hicks said. "We know it is a very tough sport, but we also have belief in our fighters.
"We have Euan Burton who is very experienced and is taking a medal in nearly every event he enters, and there are also some young fighters coming through, like Ashley McKenzie who was European Under-23 champion.
"Britain has some good judo players, if we work with them and do the right things with them, then we have got a real chance to hit those targets."
