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Britain’s Aaron Cook wants to compete for Moldova at Rio Olympics Britain’s Aaron Cook aims to compete for Moldova at Rio Olympics
(about 3 hours later)
British taekwondo fighter Aaron Cook has confirmed he plans to compete for Moldova at the 2016 Olympics in Rio. The British taekwondo fighter Aaron Cook has confirmed he plans to compete for Moldova at the 2016 Olympics in Rio.
Dorset-born Cook, 24, who was overlooked for the Great Britain taekwondo squad at London 2012, applied for citizenship after receiving funding from Moldovan billionaire Igor Iuzefovici and has now received his passport from the small eastern European state. Dorset-born Cook, 24, who was overlooked for the Great Britain squad at London 2012, applied for citizenship after receiving funding from the Moldovan billionaire Igor Iuzefovici and has now received his passport from the small eastern European state.
“I will soon begin a new journey representing the Republic of Moldova at all International competitions and hopefully the Rio Olympic games and beyond, should I qualify,” Cook wrote on his Facebook page. “I will soon begin a new journey representing the Republic of Moldova at all international competitions and hopefully the Rio Olympic Games and beyond, should I qualify,” Cook wrote on his Facebook page.
“Although I am upset and disappointed I will not represent my country of birth at another major championships, I felt I had no other option.“Although I am upset and disappointed I will not represent my country of birth at another major championships, I felt I had no other option.
“I am a fighter at heart and I am not going to throw away 20 years of dedication because of bureaucracy.”“I am a fighter at heart and I am not going to throw away 20 years of dedication because of bureaucracy.”
Cook, who fought for Team GB at Beijing 2008, felt he was overlooked for London 2012 - when Lutalo Muhammad, who was selected instead, won bronze - because he decided to quit the British programme in 2011. Cook, who fought for Team GB at Beijing 2008, felt he was overlooked for London 2012 – when Lutalo Muhammad, who was selected instead, won bronze – because he decided to quit the British programme in 2011.
GB Taekwondo has always denied this, but Cook has refused to compete under the British flag since May 2012 and has fought for the Isle of Man since early 2013. GB Taekwondo has always denied this but Cook has refused to compete under the British flag since May 2012 and has fought for the Isle of Man since early 2013.
“It has been an amazing couple of years full of memories, and I would have loved to continue competing under the Isle of Man banner,” Cook said. “It has been an amazing couple of years full of memories and I would have loved to continue competing under the Isle of Man banner,” Cook said.
“Unfortunately that was never going to be possible as it was made clear to me in May of last year, after winning the European Championships for the third consecutive time, that it would not be possible for me to be selected for Team GB, regardless of my world ranking or performances.“Unfortunately that was never going to be possible as it was made clear to me in May of last year, after winning the European Championships for the third consecutive time, that it would not be possible for me to be selected for Team GB, regardless of my world ranking or performances.
“Having received no funding or support from the GB system and financing myself since June 2011, this was not a situation that was acceptable to me and I did not want to put myself, family, friends, supporters or sport through the same situation we were forced to endure at the London 2012 Olympic Games.”“Having received no funding or support from the GB system and financing myself since June 2011, this was not a situation that was acceptable to me and I did not want to put myself, family, friends, supporters or sport through the same situation we were forced to endure at the London 2012 Olympic Games.”
Cook hopes to represent Moldova for the first time at the inaugural Baku European Games in June having served the mandatory three-year period since representing a previous country.Cook hopes to represent Moldova for the first time at the inaugural Baku European Games in June having served the mandatory three-year period since representing a previous country.
However, the British Olympic Association could yet block the move and Press Association Sport understands it is still in talks over the matter.However, the British Olympic Association could yet block the move and Press Association Sport understands it is still in talks over the matter.