Britain's Cook to appeal Olympic taekwondo snub

Taekwondo star Aaron Cook is appealing to the British Olympic Association after the ``incredible'' decision by his national federation to deny him a spot on the team for the London Games.

Cook was omitted from the team despite being the world's top-ranked fighter in his division.

``I now have no option but to request that the British Olympic Association review the selection,'' he said in a statement Monday.

The 21-year-old Cook finished fourth at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and was widely considered Britain's best chance for a taekwondo gold medal in London.

Cook may have irked British officials when he left the national taekwondo academy last year to train independently after a disagreement about coaching methods. He is known for an unorthodox style of aggressive high spinning kicks and extreme agility.

Since hiring his own team of coaches, the Manchester-based fighter has won more tournaments than any other British athlete in his division. Earlier this month, he won the European Championships in Manchester and is now ranked No. 1 in the world in the 80-kilogram category.

Cook said ``individual sport is about results'' and it was ``ironic'' to be ranked No.  1 and yet denied a chance to compete at the Olympics.

Instead of Cook, the British federation reportedly selected Lutalo Muhammad, a 20-year-old fighter who is currently ranked 10th . Muhammad defeated Cook once earlier this year _ but was then beaten by him in another tournament two weeks later.

Muhammad recently won gold in a heavier weight division at the Manchester tournament and would have to drop down a category for the Olympics. Officials from Great Britain Taekwondo declined to comment.

Britain was given four spots for taekwondo athletes as the Olympic host nation. A four-person BOA panel will examine the taekwondo federation's selections on Tuesday, including the spot that Cook was denied.

The BOA panel cannot change any selections but can reject them and send them back to the taekwondo body.

The BOA will release its decision this week, possibly as early as Tuesday.

Matthew Pinsent, a four-time British gold medalist in rowing, criticized the decision to omit Cook.

``There seems to be no doubt that Aaron Cook has fallen victim to small-time sport politics,'' he said on Twitter.

Some critics have slammed Cook for his independent approach and accused him of having diva-like tendencies. He and his team frequently sport ``Team Cook'' clothing at major competitions.  Cook's main coach is Patrice Remarck, a U.S.-based former taekwondo champion who has also trained three other fighters who will be competing at the London Games.

British taekwondo performance director Gary Hall has previously described Cook as one of the country's most talented athletes and said his leaving the national program would not hurt his Olympic selection chances. 

Cook said he would continue to train for the Olympics until the BOA announces the British team. (AP)