LONDON, Jan 8, 2008 - Nine sailors became the first official members of Britain's Olympic team for the Beijing Games following an announcment from the country's Olympic Association (BOA) on Tuesday.

　　The athletes were Ben Ainslie (Finn class), Sarah Ayton, Sarah Webb and Pippa Wilson (Yngling), Stevie Morrison and Ben Rhodes (49er), Paul Goodison (Laser), and Iain Percy and Andrew Simpson (Star).

　　Simon Clegg, BOA chief executive and 2008 chef de mission, said: "I am delighted to announce the first nine official members of Team GB for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.

　　"Sailing is one of our core sports, one which has medalled consistently over many years, and which claimed five medals at the Athens 2004 Olympics."