British pair Denise Johns and Lucy Boulton said in a statement: “It is fantastic news that the British Olympic Association have recognised our potential. “But we haven’t finished yet. Our dream is to vindicate the incredibly hard work we have been doing and make sure not just one but both teams play in London.”

A second team can enter if they attain a top-16 ranking before the end of June 2012. Johns and Boulton are ranked 40th in the world, while Shauna Mullin and Zara Dampney are 61st. The pair added: “To represent our country at Horse Guards Parade is the greatest incentive we could have.”