British Olympian Bianca Cook to represent Isle of Man

Bianca Cook swaps GB for Isle of Man to boost Olympic prospects

Three-time world taekwondo champion Bianca Cook will represent the Isle of Man at the 2024 European Championships in May, in a last-ditch attempt to secure her place at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

Cook, who claimed bronze medals at Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020 under her maiden name of Walkden, has been hampered by injuries in recent years.

It has left her trailing British rival Rebecca McGowan in race for Team GB’s sole place in the +67kg division at Paris 2024.

“It is great to have the opportunity to represent the Isle of Man,” said Cook.

“My aim is to show my form for selection for Team GB whilst at the same time, representing the Isle of Man in World Taekwondo in competitions including at the European Championships.”

COOK FIGHTING FOR IOM – IT’S HAPPENED BEFORE

It is understood that the four-time European champion fighter has family connections to the island, although there is also interesting symmetry with her husband – former world number one Aaron Cook – having opted to compete for the Isle of Man after missing London 2012.

He refused to compete for Great Britain again after being controversially overlooked for the Games and ultimately went on to fight for Moldova at Rio 2016 after the nation’s billionaire taekwondo president purchased a passport for the Beijing 2008 Olympian.

Unlike that situation however, Bianca Cook will remain part of the GB Taekwondo programme and shall represent the Isle of Man with the blessing of the national governing body.

“GB Taekwondo supports athletes from all those territories that come together as Team GB,” stated GB Taekwondo Performance Director Gary Hall.

“Bianca will remain a member of the GB Taekwondo World Class Programme and continue to receive our full support as she prepares to fight at the European Championships and seek selection for the Paris Olympic Games.”

HOW CAN COOK QUALIFY FOR PARIS 2024?

With McGowan having secured the Olympic berth for Team GB in Paris through her performances over the last two years she was in line to represent GB Taekwondo in the women’s heavyweight division at the European Championships in Belgrade from 10-12 May.

That would have resulted in Cook either dropping weight to compete in another category, or missing out, which would have ultimately ended her dream of a ‘third-time-lucky’ Olympic gold.

Switching to the Isle of Man (IOM) will allow the fighter to compete in her favoured division and potentially have the chance to go head-to-head with McGowan, who she has beaten twice during the Olympic qualification phase.

“We are honoured to welcome Bianca Cook to represent the Isle of Man internationally in taekwondo, said Director of Isle of Man Taekwondo Association Richard Halsall.

“Bianca is three-time world champion, double Olympic medallist and?a fantastic athlete and role model.

“We look forward to further supporting her going forward particularly in her goal of being an unprecedented 5 times European champion in Serbia in May.”

Bianca Cook added; “This island has become a part of my life, and I am thankful to the Isle of Man Taekwondo Association for welcoming me.”

The European Taekwondo Championships in Serbia represent the final opportunity for fighters to prove their credentials.

The initial selection meeting is due to take place on 15 May with athletes set to be notified by 17 May before the official Team GB squad announcement in the following weeks.