贝克汉姆落选英国国奥队_BEC初级作文

贝克汉姆落选英国国奥队

Beckham has been used extensively in the buildup to the event and helped to bring back the flame from Greece.

"David has been an extraordinary supporter, probably our number one supporter, of the Games from the very beginning and is keen to continue his enthusiastic support right to the end," said Coe.

"He really gets this. He is from East London and knows how important the Games and sport are to young people.

"He is a great role model and we are lucky to have such an advocate. I will be talking to him about a Games time role."

As a result of the decision to leave Beckham out of the Team GB football squad, odds have been slashed for him to light the Olympic cauldron. British bookmakers Ladbrokes quoted odds of 5/1.

Critics, who believe football has an uneasy place in the Games because of the vast sums of money professionals earn, have said they would be uncomfortable with the Olympics becoming a "David Beckham show".

The Olympic football tournament, originally designed for amateurs but now the only Games event to have an age limit, is not so highly regarded in Europe where the World Cup and European Championship are seen as the elite tests.

Olympic football is popular among South American players, however.

Hosts Britain, taking part in their first Olympic football finals since 1960, will kick off their bid for gold against Senegal at Manchester United's Old Trafford stadium on July 26.