Nadia believes they should go!!!!!

NADIA COMANECI believes Britain's rhythmic gymnastics team SHOULD be allowed to compete at London 2012.

Britain's girls fell just 0.273 marks short of the 45.223 qualification target set by British Gymnastics at last month's test event.

And despite the fact they could still have a host nation place at this summer's Games, British Gymnastics have opted not to send a team to the Olympic group event amidst fears they will be humiliated?

But Comaneci, who won three Olympic golds in 1976 and became the first female gymnast to score a perfect 10, insists it is important for the host nation to have a team at London to inspire the next generation of young women.

She said: "It is important. How many times are the Games in your home country?"

"Competing in London would be a great thing and a great motivation. It would have been nice for them to be there to help promote the sport in this country."

The six British women in the team, including Esprit's Jade Faulkner, who receive no lottery funding and have been helped in their Olympic dream by their families, have now filed an appeal. The case is expected to go before an arbitration panel soon.