LONDON 2012: Rosowsky takes final men's slot in British Olympic foil team

Posted: Tuesday 12th June 2012 | 12:20

HUSAYN Rosowsky has been given the nod over Laurence Halsted for the one remaining spot on Great Britain's men's foil team at the London 2012 Olympics.

Halsted has been a regular on the British team for several years but will only travel as a reserve, with the three-strong squad completed by British number Richard Kruse and James Davis, whose selections were confirmed earlier this month.

Great Britain's foil team won gold at the Olympic test event last November and were bronze medallists at the 2010 European Championships in Leipzig.

But they disappointed at last year's European Championships in Sheffield and failed to progress past the last 16 at the World Championships in Sicily.

However, it's believed the event still represents Britain's best chance to win an Olympic fencing medal since Bill Hoskyns's epee silver at the 1964 Games in Toyko.

"It is a great honour to be selected for the London 2012 Olympics," said Rosowsky.

"The opportunity to compete in front of a home crowd will make a massive difference to our chances.

"I'm not here just to make up the numbers, I fence because I want to win and there's no bigger prize than an Olympic medal."

After announcing seven athletes ten days ago, the British Olympic Association also confirmed that Anna Bentley and Sophie Troiano will join Natalia Sheppard in the women's foil team. Martina Emanuel joins Halsted as a reserve.

"I'm delighted that the BOA have confirmed the final three host nation places and the two reserves for the men and women's foil teams," said British Fencing performance chief Alex Newton.

"We have a really strong team and I am confident that they will fulfil their exciting potential in London.

“Now that the final team has been confirmed, I am looking forward to working with the athletes, coaches and support staff to ensure that we are fully focused on maximising our performances as we enter these final critical stages of our preparation."