The 26-year-old Dampney from Dorset and Mullin, 27, from Edinburgh will become the first athletes to represent Britain in the sport since Atlanta 1996, when beach volleyball joined the Olympic programme.

The women, ranked number one in Britain, have competed together internationally since 2009 with one of their best results coming at the CEV Continental Cup tournament in Ukraine last June when they finished as runners-up.

They also put in some strong displays in finishing fifth at the FIVB Challenger competition in London last August, in an event that doubled as the Olympic test event.

The pair, currently ranked 37th in the world, qualifies for the Olympics thanks to the BOA being able to take advantage of a home-nation place made available for the sport.

Dampney said she was delighted to be selected: "I am extremely excited to represent Team GB at the Olympics and I'm looking forward to the experiences and challenges that lie ahead, especially in front of our home crowd."


Mullin (pictured above, centre, with Dampsey) was equally ecstatic: "Competing at the Olympics has always been a dream of mine and at the end of July my dreams are coming true.

"Being selected to represent Team GB and being part of what is going to be the best Olympics ever is a huge honour."

Team GB Chef de Mission Andy Hunt said: "We are very pleased to welcome the first beach volleyball players to represent Team GB since the Atlanta 1996 Olympic Games.

"Beach volleyball is a fast, skilful and exciting sport, and London 2012 represents a fantastic opportunity for the sport to showcase itself to the United Kingdom audience and encourage many new participants to try and sport."

The British Volleyball Federation (BVF) was founded as recently as 2006, but there has since been a steady rise in the popularity of the sport in the UK.

"We witnessed at the test event last summer the hugely positive impact an enthusiastic and vocal support can have on our athletes' performances, and I'm sure the players will respond to the encouragement they will receive," added Hunt.

The London 2012 beach volleyball competition will run from July 28 to August 9 on Horse Guards Parade.

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