The Olympic Committee, coming under heavy pressure from LOCOG and the Kennel Club, has relented at the last minute, and is to allow Dog Walking and Associated Events into London 2012 as a Demonstration Sport.
"We are naturally delighted" said Dog team Chief Coach Tom Simkins today "but are astonished at the number of events included in the trial". These include the 1500m Early Moring Hurried Stroll, the Search and Retrieve Poo Whilst Leashed to Dog, and the 3000m Search for a Dead Body.
It hasn't all been plain sailing though - organisers had a last minute panic when it was realised that all of the dogs and their owners were located in the same part of the Olympic Village as the team from South Korea, and some hurried re-housing had to take place.
The GB Team has one event where they believe that they have a significant edge. Tom Simkins said "we are confident that the 500M Dash After A Dog Chasing Deer is in the bag - Fenton and his owner are world-beaters".