WTF back Cook omission
The WTF have ruled British Taekwondo followed their selection policy in leaving out Aaron Cook.
Last Updated: 10/07/12 5:08pm
British Taekwondo followed their selection policy in the decision to nominate Lutalo Muhammad in favour of Aaron Cook for the London Olympic squad, the World Taekwondo Federation have ruled.
Cook was overlooked for the under-80 kilograms place at the Games despite successfully retaining his European title earlier this summer.
The world number one maintained the decision to select Muhammad was flawed but after the British Olympic Association (BOA) ruled there was insufficient new evidence for British Taekwondo to be forced to reopen their selection process and also did not allow Cook to take his case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), he reluctantly dropped his appeal, deciding against taking it to the High Court.
The global governing body issued a statement after the conclusion of their review, which is expected to draw a line under the matter.
It read: "The World Taekwondo Federation (WTF) has completed its review into British Taekwondo's (BT) selection process for the London 2012 Olympic Games, and has found that the rules defined in BT's selection policy were followed."
Rejected
The BOA had initially rejected Muhammad's nomination, and asked the selection panel to be reconvened for what was a third time.
In June, WTF secretary general Jean-Marie Ayer had expressed "extreme disappointment" in the whole process, and claimed "the manner of the selection is bringing our sport into disrepute."
However, despite the continued pressure by Cook's representative team to have the decision overturned, the sport's hierarchy have now moved to put the matter behind them.
Ayer said in the WTF statement: "The WTF is committed to preserving the autonomy of our stakeholders, and our sole concern throughout the review was to ascertain whether any WTF rules or regulations were violated during the selection process.
"Our goal was to ensure that British Taekwondo used a transparent system for selecting their athletes for London 2012. After assessing all available evidence, we are satisfied that this was the case.
"Both Aaron Cook and Lutalo Muhammad have been outstanding ambassadors for the sport of taekwondo, and the WTF strongly hopes that both can continue making a positive contribution to our global community."
Ayer's statement concluded: "We are delighted that the taekwondo family's focus can now return to what promises to be an unforgettable celebration of our sport at London 2012."
Target
The on-going saga has overshadowed what had been a superb build-up to the Games from Gary Hall's elite fighters, who followed up four medals at the World Championships with more impressive displays through the ranks at the 2012 European Championships in Manchester.
As well as world champion Sarah Stevenson and Muhammad, Wales' Jade Jones, 19, and Liverpool fighter Martin Stamper were the other fighters ratified for Olympic selection.
Taekwondo have agreed a target with funding body UK Sport of between one and three medals from their four athletes competing in London.
However, UK Sport's Mission 2012 tracker board, which monitors the progress of Olympic sports, warns that the Cook row has had an adverse effect.
It states: "The high profile 'noise' generated around this matter has been an unwanted and significant distraction for the team at an important time."
UK Sport chairman Sue Campbell and Olympics minister Hugh Robertson last week stressed going forwards there would be more stringent rules surrounding selection policies, and sports would have to agree to the new rules in order to receive funding.
