GB Olympic team announcement delayed due to appeals

Published: June 8, 2012 at 3:46 pm

Selectors for British Triathlon have nominated Alistair and Jonny Brownlee, Helen Jenkins, Stuart Hayes, Vicky Holland and Lucy Hall for the six available spots on the GB Olympic Triathlon team.



The selections of World Champions Alistair Brownlee and Jenkins will have raised no eyebrows, nor the selection of Jonny Brownlee after his wins in San Diego and Madrid this year. And Vicky Holland's top 10 finishes in both of the two aforementioned races has also justified her selection.



But the choices of Stuart Hayes, who didn't race San Diego and finished 56th in Madrid and Lucy Hall who has only raced a few senior events, has caused consternation from the other athletes.



Will Clarke, Liz Blatchford and Jodie Stimpson have all had appeals rejected, but according to the Daily Telegraph, threats of legal action may have delayed the official announcement of the team. Tim Don was also a strong contender for an Olympic place, but it's thought that he hasn't appealed his omission.



Clarke was thought to be the front runner for the third slot on the men's team, and strong finishes in the last 12 months, including 2nd at Hamburg last year, 4th at Kitzbuehel and a 9th place overall finish in the World Championship Series rankings only served to strengthen that opinion. But he and former world champion Tim Don have both been overlooked for Stuart Hayes.



Similarly, Liz Blatchford and Jodie Stimpson, who were 21st and 25th in the rankings last season have both been ignored in favour of Lucy Hall, who was 99th and hasn't raced a WCS race this season.