June 23 - Another potential road to London 2012 for Aaron Cook has been blocked off after the British Olympic Association (BOA) turned down his latest appeal and refused to re-open his case.
The world taekwondo number one was controversially overlooked for a place in Britain's Olympic team for the -80 kilogram spot, which was given instead to?Lutalo Muhammad, who is ranked 59th.
There were three selection meetings before the BOA ratified the decision and Cook has now employed lawyers?Harbottle and Lewis to try to overturn the decision.
They have already written to the BOA with, what they claim, is new evidence that means the selection process is flawed.
It includes an article published on leading taekwondo website Mastaekwondo.com?in February of this year.
The website alleges one of their staff overheard GB Taekwondo officials discussing their anger about?Cook's decision to leave the set-up at a camp in Spain in August and that they were already looking for other athletes to fill the -80kg place in London.
But, after taking legal advice, the BOA have claimed that they will not reconsider their decision.
They have also warned that Cook cannot take his appeal to the Lausanne-based Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) because the?Olympic Charter states CAS can only be used by athletes nominated for an Olympic Games.
It could leave the High Court in London as Cook's only option.
"It is the view of the BOA that the Court of Arbitration for Sport is not the correct forum for Aaron Cook's claims to be heard, as the relevant provisions of the Olympic Charter regarding the jurisdiction of CAS and the Olympic Games relate primarily to athletes who have been nominated for selection by their National Governing Bodies," said the BOA in a statement.
"It is also the view of the BOA that the letter and evidence from Aaron Cook's attorneys does not provide sufficient new information for the BOA to direct GB Taekwondo to reopen its selection process."
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