The British Rhythmic Gymnastics Group are a talented and dedicated group of rhythmic gymnasts who have been training hard full time without funding to be able to achieve their dream of competing at London 2012.
According to caipaigner Claire Connolly, even though there is a host country place available for this group at the Games, British Gymnastics chose NOT to nominate them for the Games! At the Olympic Test Event, BG/BOA chose to set a benchmark score they wanted the girls to achieve. Despite being agonisingly short (.273 points) of this target on qualification day and actually exceeding the score during the finals - BG refused to give them the golden opportunity they worked so hard for!
Claire decided to protest the situation with a petition at GoPetition, "We, the undersigned, call for British Gymnastics to allow the GB Rhythmic Group to compete at the London 2012 Olympic Games."
In March this year, after collecting thousands of signatures, Claire reports, "Thank you so much everyone who signed the petition. The GB Rhythmic Group have now won their appeal and will be taking their rightful place at London 2012! Good luck girls!"
Now the British and general public can look forward to seeing the UK rhythmic gymnasts' group competing at the London 2012 Olympic Games.
Well done to all involved!