Monique Gladding will make an emotional Olympic debut after Tonia Couch's appeal was declined.
British diver is given the go-ahead for the Games
British diver Monique Gladding will make an emotional Olympic debut in London after an appeal against her place in the 10 metre platform was rejected on Thursday.
Sixteen months after she almost lost her life after fracturing her skull at a meet in Russia, the 30-year-old's place has been confirmed. This follows an independent panel declining an appeal from team-mate Tonia Couch in London.
Couch, a finalist in Beijing in 2008, beat Gladding at this month's trials in Sheffield but was overlooked to focus on the platform synchro - where alongside Sarah Barrow she is Britain's best hope of a diving Olympic medal behind Tom Daley.
A statement read: "British Swimming can confirm the appeal by Tonia Couch for non-selection in the women's 10m Individual has been dismissed by an Independent Appeals Committee in London today."
Andy Banks, Couch's coach, has indicated that a second appeal was unlikely, despite his frustration at the decision. Instead, he looks to ensure that his diver's preparation for London is not affected.
Selection
It is understood the appeal was turned down because Couch's team could not prove the British Swimming selection panel - headed by Alexei Evangulov, diving performance director, - were not within their rights to select Gladding on discretionary grounds.
British Swimming chief executive David Sparkes said: "We fully understand why Tonia challenged the selection policy however the appeal clearly demonstrates that British Swimming followed a fair and transparent process throughout.
"While we're sure Tonia will initially be disappointed we will be giving her all the support she needs along with the rest of the diving team to ensure they deliver the best possible results in London.
"We wish Tonia and the whole team the very best of luck as they prepare for a home Olympic Games."
Support
Sheffield diver Gladding revealed her relief on
Twitter, writing to well-wishers: "Thankyou. It's been a rollercoaster ride."
Couch, 23, whose appeal had been backed by a newspaper petition and council members in her home city of Plymouth, also took to the social networking site. She wrote: "Thanks for the support xxx. Means so much to me that u are all behind me and supporting me!! Thanks everyone."
Gladding almost died when she had to be dragged to safety from the bottom of a diving pool in Russia, as she hit her head on the 10m concrete platform and plummeted unconscious into the water.
The sickening incident left her with a huge scar across the top of her head and her Olympic hopes appeared to be in tatters.
Remarkably, Gladding was back on diving's highest board less than six months before top-10 finishes at the World Cup and European Championships this year marked a spectacular comeback.
After she and Couch both posted personal best scores at the British Gas Diving Championships this month, she said: "There was a definite moment when I started doubting it.
"I had to really draw on something much deeper than I ever have before to get myself back and get the confidence back.
"It's my third attempt at an Olympics. To be in London, after the year I've had - I've had to dig deeper than ever."
