Tonia Couch loses London 2012 diving appeal

Tonia Couch has lost her appeal against the decision not to pick her for the 10m individual diving at London 2012.

The 23-year-old will still dive in the 10m synchro pairs with Sarah Barrow, but Monique Gladding will join Stacie Powell in the individual event.

Couch finished second in the Olympic trials while Gladding was third, but Team GB selectors want Couch to concentrate on the pairs with Barrow.

Coach Andy Banks said it was unlikely there would be a further appeal.

“We fully understand why Tonia challenged the selection policy however the appeal clearly demonstrates that British Swimming followed a fair and transparent process throughout”

British Swimming chief executive David Sparkes Plymouth-based Couch and her legal team brought the appeal as they felt that she was the best placed British diver to join Powell in the squad.

Selection rules stated that GB diving performance director Alexei Evangulov could use his discretion to pick a second diver behind the winner of the British trials.

"The committee said that he [Evangulov] had the discretion to do what he's done," Banks told BBC Sport.

Banks had considered taking the appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, in Switzerland, if it failed, but he said that is now unlikely.

"We fought it, we disagree with it, but it's gone and for the good of Tonia and the team it's best to accept it and move on to the Olympics.

"We're unlikely to take the appeal further."

British Swimming chief executive David Sparkes said: "We fully understand why Tonia challenged the selection policy, however the appeal clearly demonstrates that British Swimming followed a fair and transparent process throughout.

"While we're sure Tonia will initially be disappointed we will be giving her all the support she needs along with the rest of the diving team to ensure they deliver the best possible results in London.

“Sad to hear about @toniacouch appeal not going through but she will do awesome in synchro with @SarahBarrow anyway! ?#teamtonia? :)”

"We wish Tonia and the whole team the very best of luck as they prepare for a home Olympic Games."

Couch reached the final of the 10m individual and synchro pairs at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, where she finished eighth in both events.

Earlier this year she won European Championship gold in the pairs with Barrow, the first female British gold medal at a European Diving Championships for 74 years.

Individually Couch finished ninth at last year's World Championships and eighth in 2009, as well as finishing eighth at the 2010 Commonwealth Games.

Olympics diving: Tonia Couch and Sarah Barrow miss out on medal

By Nick Hope BBC Sport at the Aquatics Centre European Champions Tonia Couch and Sarah Barrow say they have "no regrets" after finishing fifth in the synchronised diving 10m platform final.

The British pair were in second place after the opening two rounds, but small mistakes cost them an Olympic podium finish.

Chinese pair Chen Ruolin and Hao Wang collected gold, Mexico took silver and Canada the bronze.

Leon Taylor BBC diving commentator

"The British girls were very consistent, but you cannot take anything away from the three podium finishers. It was sensational diving from the women on the platform. The bar is continually being lifted and there are some new players in town.

"But it does also prove that the Chinese are not infallible. They are human after all and will be feeling the occasion. But they don't need to be their best to win the gold. They can dive at 85% capacity and still be good enough to thump the rest of the field."

"I think we both had a great experience," said Couch.

"Our first two dives were just brilliant and, although our options weren't as good as normal, we did score a lot higher than at Europeans, so it is a great performance. We don't have any regrets."

Barrow admitted she was disappointed they could not capitalise on their strong start, but praised the home crowd for the boost their support gave them in the final routine.

"It was so loud and even better than the World Cup [Olympic test event in February, where the pair claimed bronze]," she said. "I think we were definitely encouraged by it."

Couch, who finished eighth alongside Stacie Powell at the Beijing Games, believes better is to come from her partnership with Barrow.

"We've only been diving as a pair for about two and a half years, whereas the Canadians have been diving since 2005," added Couch. "Sarah and I have a lot more to give and I'm excited. Bring on the next one."

Tonia Couch criticises GB diving chief Alexei Evangulov

By Brent Pilnick BBC Sport at the Plymouth Life Centre Tonia Couch has criticised British Diving's performance director Alexei Evangulov for the way he handled the decision not to pick her for the individual 10m event at London 2012.

Couch lost an appeal against the decision on Thursday.

"The manager didn't tell me himself," the 23-year-old told BBC Sport.

"Communication was needed and we didn't have any of that. Hopefully in the future he's learnt his lesson and maybe we'll start communicating."

Couch, who is back in training in her home town of Plymouth, considered appealing to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) but instead is concentrating on the 10m synchro pairs, for which she has been selected with partner Sarah Barrow.

They are the reigning European champions after winning the first female British gold medal for 74 years and have also been successful at the World Series and the World Cup.

Such a run of form makes them strong medal contenders for London, although Couch admitted the dispute over her non-selection for the individual event will leave a sour taste.

"Yes, I'm absolutely gutted, but there's nothing I can do.

"We already got told it was a 'no' from the boss and then we got told it was a 'no' again on the appeal," she added.

"We didn't want to take it any further because I just want to focus on what I have to do and put everything else to one side.

"We can do really well, we've had a good year, but there's six people fighting for those three medals so it's going to be tough.

"We'll have to see how it goes on the day, our training's going really well, we got a British record at the nationals, so fingers crossed that everything goes into London and we do well."

Tonia Couch criticises GB diving chief Alexei Evangulov

By Brent Pilnick BBC Sport at the Plymouth Life Centre Tonia Couch has criticised British Diving's performance director Alexei Evangulov for the way he handled the decision not to pick her for the individual 10m event at London 2012.

Couch lost an appeal against the decision on Thursday.

"The manager didn't tell me himself," the 23-year-old told BBC Sport.

"Communication was needed and we didn't have any of that. Hopefully in the future he's learnt his lesson and maybe we'll start communicating."

Couch, who is back in training in her home town of Plymouth, considered appealing to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) but instead is concentrating on the 10m synchro pairs, for which she has been selected with partner Sarah Barrow.

They are the reigning European champions after winning the first female British gold medal for 74 years and have also been successful at the World Series and the World Cup.

Such a run of form makes them strong medal contenders for London, although Couch admitted the dispute over her non-selection for the individual event will leave a sour taste.

"Yes, I'm absolutely gutted, but there's nothing I can do.

"We already got told it was a 'no' from the boss and then we got told it was a 'no' again on the appeal," she added.

"We didn't want to take it any further because I just want to focus on what I have to do and put everything else to one side.

"We can do really well, we've had a good year, but there's six people fighting for those three medals so it's going to be tough.

"We'll have to see how it goes on the day, our training's going really well, we got a British record at the nationals, so fingers crossed that everything goes into London and we do well."