Aldama leaves Britain for Olympic dream

British hopes of two women's triple jump medals at this year's Olympics have disappeared following Cuban-born Yamile Aldama's decision to accept Sudanese citizenship.

Instead of being a team-mate of world indoor champion Ashia Hansen, world No3 Aldama will now be one of her main rivals for gold in Athens.

Aldama, who prodcuced a personal best performance of 15.29metres last year, is based in London and has been trying to obtain a British passport for more than two years.

But under immigration regulations, she was told her request would not be granted ahead of the usual three-year waiting period.

Now, after missing out on the world indoor and outdoor championships last year, Aldama's Olympic ambitions are back on course.

"I can understand why Yamile's done this," UK Athletics chief executive David Moorcroft said. "It's a real shame but according to the Home Office there are no exceptions to the rule."

A trip to Khartoum less than two weeks ago saw Aldama's application to become Sudanese rubber-stamped within two days.