Britain’s rhythmic gymnastics group has won an appeal after missing out on a place for the London Olympics.

Britain’s governing body for gymnastics will now nominate a rhythmic group to the British Olympic Association. The gymnasts could now be offered an automatic host nation place in the London Games under the rules of the international federation.

The group filed an appeal after falling short of the 45.223 benchmark score set by British Gymnastics at the Olympic qualifying event in London in January.

But arbitrator Graeme Mews ruled that the gymnasts and their coaches did not know that selection would be based only on the qualification stage.