British Judo Association

BOA announced Team GB judo members

The British Olympic Association (BOA) have named the judo members of Team GB for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.

They were announced at a press conference (alongside the announcement of the Paralympic team), which took place at the Budokwai in London on 22nd April.

The athletes are:

-63kg weight category women
Sarah Clark

-78kg weight category women
Michelle Rogers

+78kg weight category women
Karina Bryant

-60kg weight category men
Craig Fallon

-81kg weight category men
Euan Burton

-90kg weight category men
Winston Gordon

-100kg weight category men
Peter Cousins

Team GB Judo - Beijing 2008

Commenting on their selection:

Peter Cousins: “I am elated to be selected for Beijing, which will be my first Games. Having competed and medaled at a European and World level, I am eager to compete at an Olympic Games and give it my all.

To represent my country and Team GB is something I have worked towards my entire life. I am now concentrating on fulfilling my potential come August”.

Karina Bryant: “I am really excited and thrilled to be a member of Team GB for the third time, both personally and from a team perspective. I am looking forward to the Olympics as I believe we are going with a really strong team".

Simon Clegg, Team GB 2008 Chef de Mission, said:
“I am pleased to welcome these seven judo athletes into Team GB following some fine performances in various qualifying events over the past year which ensures we have some exciting prospects to look out for in Beijing.

I am sure that they will be looking to build upon their recent successes and I wish them well in their final preparations for the Olympic Games".

Karen Roberts, British Judo’s World Class Operations Manager and Judo’s Team Leader for the Beijing 2008 Olympics said:

‘Now that the Team for Beijing is finalised we can focus on the detailed final preparation that each player requires. We have got an experienced team – with a collection of World and European medals spread amongst them- we are going to Beijing aiming to add Olympic medals to that collection, especially the ever elusive Gold that Britain is yet to win in Judo".

For further information on the team please visit British Judo's dedicated Beijing website

Notes to Editors

Team GB is expected toconsist of approximately 300 athletes and a further 200 officials.

Team GB could be competing in up to 22 sports.

The Beijing 2008 Olympic Games will take place from 8th to 24th August 2008.

The British Olympic Association (BOA) is the National Olympic Committee for Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Its role is to prepare our nation’s finest athletes for and lead them at the summer, winter and youth Olympic Games. The BOA delivers extensive elite level support services to Britain’s Olympic athletes and their National Governing Bodies throughout each Olympic cycle and in the UK is responsible for the development and protection of the Olympic Movement.

For more information or interview requests for Simon Clegg please contact Miriam Wilkens or Becki Middleton in the BOA Communications Department on 020 8871 2677 ext 227 or 215.

All interview requests for the athletes should go through Emma Griffin, British Judo Communications Director, T: 01509 631692/M: 07875 368495.

Beijing 2008 Press Conference

Left to right: Karina Bryant, Karen Roberts, Simon Clegg (BOA), Phil Lane (BPA), Dave Sanders and Ian Rose