Dubai, UAE: Plymouth Leander's former Kenyan International swimmer Achieng Ajulu-Bushell has been granted permission by the IOC (International Olympic Committee) to swim for Great Britain at the London 2012 Olympic Games. Achieng was given approval at a meeting of the IOC Executive Board in Dubai this week to be eligible to compete for GBR in 2012, subject to qualification and selection.

Read on...

The decision brings the 16-year-old swimmer’s dream of competing at a home Olympics one step closer as she continues to work in Plymouth towards her goal. The Plymouth College swimming scholar who was born in Warrington and holds a British passport, had her move officially sanctioned by the British Olympic Association and the National Olympic committee of Kenya.

PL Head Coach Jon Rudd, "This allows us to just get on and focus on the next 12 months into qualifying for London. All the boxes are now ticked; she's British as far as all levels of the sport are concerned and we can all get on with some quality work that gives her the best chance of selection come the Trials for London".

British Swimming Chief Executive David Sparkes is pleased the exciting breaststroke swimmer will have the chance to compete for Britain at the London Olympics. “We are all delighted that Achieng has now been cleared to compete in London,” said Sparkes. “She can now focus on her training for the upcoming European Championships and Commonwealth Games which will be exciting events for her to gain valuable competition opportunities".