London Olympics joy for Susan Egelstaff & Imogen Bankier as badminton duo are selected for Team GB

Jun 7 2012

Imogen bankier & Susan Egelstaff Image 2

GLASGOW badminton stars Susan Egelstaff and Imogen Bankier have spoken of their delight after being selected for Team GB in this summer's London Olympics.

The duo will become only the second and third Scottish badminton players to feature in an Olympics when they line-up along with England's Rajiv Ouseph and Chris Adcock.

Egelstaff, the world No 34, will compete in the women's singles while Bankier and Adcock will be looking to add to their World Championship silver and European Championship bronze medals this season in the mixed doubles.

Until now, Anne Gibson of Dumfries was the only Scot to make Team GB, competing in the singles in Atlanta in 1996.

Egelstaff, the 2006 Commonwealth Games bronze medallist, has battled back to fitness after a knee injury scare threatened to ruin her dream.

The 29-year-old said: "I have been through every emotion and it has been such a tough campaign," said Egelstaff.

"But now it is brilliant to have made the team. I'm so excited to be selected. This is the culmination of a really hard year of qualification and it's great to be successful and be able to look forward to participating in the Games themselves.

"It's a once in a lifetime opportunity and I'm really looking forward to playing in front of a home crowd. It's a privilege to be part of the team and I cannot wait for it to start."

World No 10 pair Adcock and Bankier held off the challenge from world No 17s Nathan Robertson and Jenny Wallwork to book their place in the side.

Bankier, 24, said: "The qualification period was very stressful and I'm just glad it's over and we can now look forward to the Games.

"The crowd at Wembley was fantastic during the World Championships and I'm sure it will be even better at the Olympics. We have worked really hard to acquire this opportunity and we intend not to waste it."