Aaron Cook may still be able to compete at London 2012. Picture: Nick Potts/PA

The world number one and European champion was left out of the squad

The British Olympic Authority have refused to ratify British Taekwondo’s decision to omit Aaron Cook from the Olympic squad.

The world number one and European champion was left out in favour of Lutalo Muhammad, who has never been in the world’s top 20.

Cook has vowed to challenge the decision when it was announced and implied that his decision to leave the sport’s governing body’s facility in Manchester to pursue a solo training programme was behind his omission.

“I first heard of the decision not to select me on May 11,” he explained in a statement posted on the website of his management company.

“I could not believe what I read. I have followed the appeal process of British Taekwondo and made an appeal to Sports Resolution Ltd.

“This has cost me a significant amount of money. I cannot discuss the findings of this appeal for legal reasons.

“Suffice to say that the letter I received on May 25 from British Taekwondo following their second selection meeting confirmed that I had not been selected again. I now have no option but to request that the BOA review the selection.

“I hope that this process never happens again to any other athlete in British Taekwondo or any other sport. Individual sport is about results.

“I left British Taekwondo’s World Class Performance Programme (WCPP) because I felt that their methods were wrong for me. I was not achieving my potential.

“Whether British Taekwondo WCP is right for other athletes is up to them as individuals. There are good coaches within the academy.

“However, this is an individual sport and there are different individual routes to success.

“Twelve months after backing myself and creating my own team as a result of the financial backing of my personal sponsors, the results show that I was 100 per cent right.

“I find it incredible as the world No.1 in my sport, I may not participate in the Games due to the ‘opinion’ of a committee who have apparently voted against the performance director, who is reported to have voted for me at both selection meetings.

“This is my whole life. I will continue to train for the London Olympics until the BOA announce the selected athletes for Team GB.”