First olympic athletes named (and a gymnastics update)

Image:  Iain Percy, Annie Lush, Nick Dempsey, Lucy Macgregor, Hannah Mills, Ben Ainslie, Kate Macgregor, Bryony Shaw, Saskia Clark and Andrew Simpson of Great Britain pose during a photocall at the announcement of the first athletes to officially join Team GB ahead of the 2012 Olympics at the Old Royal Naval College, Greenwich on September 20, 2011 in London, England. (Daylife.com

The first athletes to be named to Team GB for London 2012 have been announced. The British Sailors have been picked including 3 time olympic champion Ben Ainslie. Sailing is one of GB's strongest medal events, with 4 golds from Beijing.

It's interesting that due to the more consistent nature of sailing, the athletes can be nominated so far in advanced, compared with many sports where national teams are picked in the month leading up to the games. These athletes can now focus their training on preparation rather than qualification.

Speaking of qualificaiton, the Team USA gymnasts are at the final selection camp for Worlds and the Pan American games. The team should be announced soon after the final competition tomorrow. There is rumour that one gymnast (supposed to be Mackenzie Caquatto) has injured both ankles on a double pike. If so this is a real shame as of the USA's nominated 'bar specialists' she was one of the best all-arounders. Link here (on facebook so you will have to logon).

The British gymnasts are also at the final worlds training camp in Lilleshall, the final teams for MAG and WAG are to be confirmed on Friday.