EAST Lancashire’s handball stars have expressed ‘relief and delight’ after the British Olympic Association decided to give the sport the go-ahead for London 2012.

Ciaran Williams and Holly Lam-Moores, key members of the Great Britain squads, feared their Olympic dreams could have been shattered had the British Olympic Association decided to pull the plug.

But, in consultation with the British Handball Association, the BOC has announced it will utilise Host Nation Qualification Places in order to compete in the London 2012 Olympic Games.

It means that GB men’s captain Williams, from Edenfield, and Burnley-born Lam-Moores will get to compete on the ultimate stage.

“This is fantastic news,” said 21-year-old Lam-Moores. “Naturally we were very worried that our Olympic dream could have been over. So were are all very relieved to know that both teams will now be going to London 2012.”

Any sport that utilises a Host Nation Qualification Place must demonstrate the ability to deliver a credibable performance and demontrate a long-term strategy for the future.

And Lam-Moores, a former Alder Grange High School pupil, is determined to prove that the BOC and the BHA were right in their decision.

“The last thing we want to do is embarrass the country and, just as importantly, embarrass ourselves,” said Lam-Moores, who plays for Danish Premier League side Sonderjyske.

“We have all worked incredibly hard over the last three or four years and have taken a lot of hard knocks along the way.

“But we have made steady progress in that time and have won matches and pushed a lot of the better teams close.”

She added: “I think we have surpassed the targets and goals that have been set for us so if we had been told we could not have gone, it would have been devastating.”

Despite being one of the few professional players in the GB set-up, the left winger is not taking anything for granted.

“There are no guarantees that I will be in the final squad of 14 for London 2012 and that is something I have to work hard to try and achieve.

“We will be under pressure but no more than the pressure we put ourselves under. This is a great opportunity to raise the profile of handball and hopefully establish a legacy and introduce more youngsters to the game.

“Competing at the Olympics and on home soil, it doesn’t get better than that and we are determined to make the most of it.”

Williams, who is also a professional handball player, also welcomed the decision.

“I was quietly confident but also wary knowing that we had are funding slashed a couple of years ago,” said the former Haslingden High School pupil. “But this is great news for both teams and gives us all a real incentives in the lead up to the Olympics.”

Williams, who missed most of last season after two operations on a broken foot, is currently playing for Norwegian side TTIS who are top of Division One.

“Personally, my fitness is good and I am really enjoying my time in Norway,” said the play-maker. “As captain of the GB team I am thrilled that we are going to be a part of the Olympics.

“It will be a massive stage to play on a wonderful way to highlight the sport.”