Giggs hoping Britain's return not just a one-off
Reuters - Monday 16 July 2012, 20:32
Ryan Giggs said on Monday that
he hoped the British Olympic football team's return to the Games
after a 52-year absence was not just a one-off.
Britain has not competed in the football finals since Rome
1960, and last took part in the qualifiers in 1971 when they
failed to reach the 1972 Munich Games.
Professional players have been allowed to take part in the
Games since 1984, but forming a Team GB has always been blocked
by the Scottish, Welsh and Northern Ireland football
associations, amid fears that they might lose their independent
status within FIFA.
However, when London was awarded the Games a British team
was obliged to compete as hosts.
"I hope it is not a one-off from what I have experienced so
far," British captain Giggs told reporters at one of the first
media conferences held at Olympic Park.
"Of course I am Welsh and proud of it, but for me to have
the chance of playing in the biggest tournament in the world
right now, it has been great and I hope it continues."
Asked if he would lobby Welsh officials to rethink their
past policy of opposing a British team, the 38-year-old replied:
"Whether people have been English, Welsh, whatever, those I have
met have wished me well and the team well.
"I hope fellow British footballers can experience the same
thing in the future. I am not sure I would lobby anyone, I am
not a politician but I hope we carry on in the future."
Craig Bellamy, 33, a Welshman like Giggs, said the experience
was totally different to the one he was used to in the Premier
League.
"It is new to us, we are meeting other athletes, eating with
them, being part of a huge British squad," he said.
"It feels very different from just being in a football team,
it feels very special being with other athletes all trying to
win medals for Britain.
"We are kept away a bit as Premier League players usually,
but this has been so different and we are embracing it.
"I personally never thought I would ever be involved in
anything like this and it is something to cherish for the rest
of my life."
Coach Stuart Pearce's squad face Brazil in a friendly at
Middlesbrough on Friday - the first British Olympic football
match for 41 years - and he said the squad were getting
stronger after training in Spain.
"We had a great week and gelled very quickly," he said.
"We are some way behind the others in terms of preparation -
for example I think the United Arab Emirates have played 17
friendlies, but all this squad know each other well and we have
hit the ground running and have no injuries after the training
game against Mexico."
Britain face the UAE, Uruguay and Senegal in their group
matches, with their opening game against Senegal at Old Trafford
on July 26, the day before the Games officially open.