David Beckham Removed From Great Britain Olympic Team

David Beckham Removed From Great Britain Olympic Team

David Beckham’s highest dream of being a part in the Olympic Games has been blown by the wind after Great Britain team manager Stuart Pearce performed a dramatic late “change of heart.”
Beckham was certain to play in his home city of London after being confirmed for Team GB’s 35-man preliminary squad last month but was axed from the final group of players.
“Everyone knows how much playing for my country has always meant to me,” Beckham said. “So I would have been honored to be part of this unique Team GB squad. Naturally I am very disappointed, but there will be no bigger supporter of the team than me. And like everyone, I will be hoping they can win the gold.”
Members of the London Organizing Committee of the Olympic Games were surprised by Beckham’s omission and will have to drastically change their plans, as he was expected to have a dual role as both player and Olympic ambassador.
Yahoo! Sports revealed earlier this year that Beckham’s selection was not as automatic as many suspected, with Pearce determined to field as strong a lineup as possible in the Olympic tournament.
Beckham’s struggles early in the season with the Los Angeles Galaxy initially put his place in peril, though a recent resurgence in both his own form and that of the Major League Soccer club appeared to have made him secured the place.
Last week, Games officials were preparing for Beckham to be involved on the playing side, with Pearce having given no indication to even those in his inner circle that the 37-year-old midfielder would be excluded.
The primary reason Beckham was left out likely centered around young defender Micah Richards of Manchester City, a personal favorite of Pearce, who coached him during his own stint in charge at City.
The manner in which Beckham’s place was omitted is certain to create criticisms that Pearce has disrespected him. And while Olympic chiefs vowed to keep the decision-making process solely in Pearce’s hands, his choice is expected to provide a significant blow to the already-slow sales of Games soccer tickets.
Beckham played a crucial role in the Olympic bidding process in 2005, when London was awarded the Games ahead of Paris on a dramatic night in Singapore. He will still be part of the Opening Ceremony at Stratford’s Olympic Stadium, but will not get the chance to lead a young GB side in what would have been one of the more emotional experiences of his career.

Posted by Andre Monohan on Friday June 29 2012, 4:29 AM EST. Ref: Yahoo. All trademarks acknowledged. Filed under Featured News. Comments and Trackbacks closed. Follow responses: RSS 2.0