It adds to the pressure facing the Football Association of Wales (FAW), who along with their counterparts in Northern Ireland and Scotland, are resisting calls for them to allow their players to represent Team GB at London 2012.

They fear that it could jeopardise their own independence to take part in tournaments like the World Cup and European Championships. 

But Ramsey, who at 20 is his country's youngest-ever captain, has made it clear that he wants to play in the Olympics.

Both Ramsey and Bale held meetings with FAW officials last month where they made it clear that they wanted to be allowed to represent Team GB in the Olympics. 

"I'm immensely proud to represent Wales and captain my country," the Arsenal midfield player told the News of the World today. 

"But if you have the chance to bring together the best players from the four Home Countries to compete at a worldwide event like the Olympics, obviously I'd love to take up that opportunity.

"I'd like to see how far a full-strength GB team could go on home soil.

"There must be a real chance of winning a gold medal at the Olympics, which is one of the ultimate prizes in sport."

Ramsey believes that the Home Countries have nothing to fear from a united British team following assurances from FIFA that they will accept that it will be a one-off situation.

"It's a shame politics have become involved in the issue," he said.

"I can understand that the Welsh, Scottish and Northern Irish FAs want to protect their national identity, that's their duty.

"But if FIFA are true to their word and it's possible to play for Great Britain and then after the Olympics you can go back to playing for your national teams, what's the harm in it?

"As long as cast-iron guarantees exist I can't see how they could be broken."

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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