Taekwondo star Aaron Cook's had enough of GB

[Markku P]

Taekwondo star Aaron Cook's had enough of GB and will compete for the Isle of Man at all non-Olympic events. Good for him!

 

[ETinCYQX]

Good.

I'd like to see him fight for USA at the Olympics honestly. He owes GB Taekwondo no loyalty after the fiasco in 2012.

 

[ralphmcpherson]

i think he should fight for australia

 

[SPX]

Can someone explain the backstory on this?

 

[kitkatninja]

Can someone explain the backstory on this?

Cook (who was ranked Num 1) claimed that he was cheated out of an Olympic place after the British Olympic Association sanctioned GB Taekwondo’s selection of world No 59 Lutalo Muhammad in his place.

See here.

 

[Tez3]

Cook (who was ranked Num 1) claimed that he was cheated out of an Olympic place after the British Olympic Association sanctioned GB Taekwondo’s selection of world No 59 Lutalo Muhammad in his place.

See here.

Well I wouldn't say he 'calimed' he most certainly was cheated out of a position. Lutalo Muhammed's coach was on the selection commitee which was asked three times to reconsider by the BOA who only reluctantly accepted the choice when it became clear only legal action would change their mind, the time scale meant that a legal challenge wouldn't happen in time for Cook to compete at the Olympics.
Isle of Man teams compete at everything except the Olympics, I don't see why people think he would go to America to compete, by competeting for the IoM it means he can still be chosen for the Rio Olympics for the UK. Mark Cavendish the cyclist comes from the IoM and competes for them in the Commonwealth but can also compete for the UK. The IoM is a UK dependancy ( like the Falklands) but not part of the UK which gives Cook his freedom while still keeping his Olympic chances alive. He obviously doesn't want to be American.

 

[Markku P]

He obviously doesn't want to be American.

I don't think he feels this way It just will take too much time and he can forget Rio 2016

 

[Tez3]

He's British and he isn't fed up of Britain only of the British TKD authorities. One doesn't give up ones nationality easily. He could have changed nationalities a long time ago if Olympic glory was all he wanted, he wants to represent Great Britain and Northern Ireland in TKD.
It would depend too on how the American TKD people felt because for him to be in their team it would mean an American ( a proper one not a paper one) would be left out.

 

[bluewaveschool]

Cook (who was ranked Num 1) claimed that he was cheated out of an Olympic place after the British Olympic Association sanctioned GB Taekwondo’s selection of world No 59 Lutalo Muhammad in his place.

See here.

How'd that choice work out for Lutalo and GB anyways?

 

[andyjeffries]

How'd that choice work out for Lutalo and GB anyways?

Not bad result, it was lucky he got the repechage though and he was beaten out of the normal rounds by a guy that Aaron's beaten plenty of times.

 

[chrispillertkd]

Lutalo got a bronze medal, IIRC, which is quite good. I think Cook probably would've done better but it's all water under the bridge now.

Pax,

Chris

 

[Tez3]

Love the picture in the OP..... YAY, Newcastle getting beat, nice one!