Cook rules out High Court appeal

Aaron Cook will not take his fight for Olympic section to the High Court
29 June 2012

Aaron Cook has confirmed he will not take his fight for selection to the Team GB Olympic taekwondo squad to the High Court.

The world number one in the -80kg class was controversially overlooked in favour of Lutalo Muhammad for the Games and has sought to overturn this decision.

The British Olympic Association ruled there was not sufficient new evidence for GB Taekwondo to be forced to re-open its selection process last week and although Cook hinted he was willing to take his case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, he has confirmed he has since backtracked.

In a statement, he said: "After careful consideration over the last few weeks, and despite my representatives advising me that I still had a good chance of successfully overturning the BOA's ratification of Great Britain Taekwondo's decision not to select me for London 2012, I have decided not to take my case against the BOA to the High Court."

The statement continued: "The financial implications for me, and, more importantly, for my parents, of doing so are too prohibitive."

World number 49 Muhammad was controversially preferred to Cook in the -80kg class following a controversial procedure which required three selection meetings. Cook claims he had been "cheated" out of his rightful place because of the decision to leave the GB Taekwondo Academy programme, which the governing body have always refuted.

"I am really disappointed that the BOA did not agree to my case being heard at the Court of Arbitration for Sport. It is the specialist forum for sports-related matters," the 21-year-old said. "The High Court is significantly more expensive, time-consuming and does not have the experience or expertise in dealing with sports-related disputes."

Cook confirmed the World Taekwondo Federation are conducting an investigation into the selection process although their findings will not be available before the Olympics.

In a statement in response to Cook's decision, GB Taekwondo said : "GB Taekwondo fully respects Aaron's position and understands his decision not to take up the reserve place. We appreciate his good wishes for the team.

"This has been a difficult and unsettling period for both athletes concerned, as well as for the GB team as whole. However, Aaron is a world-class athlete who still has a very bright future in the sport and we would hope that he continues to be available to represent Great Britain in the future."

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