By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year

July 14 - David Beckham has revealed that he still harbours ambitions of playing for Britain at the London 2012 Olympics when he will be 37.

The former England captain was instrumental in helping Britain's capital win its bid to host the Olympics and Paralympics.

He appeared in videos promoting the bid and travelled to Singapore as part of the official delegation for the final vote at the International Olympic Committee Session in July 2005.

Beckham had been mentioned as a possible coach for the team but the Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder has insisted that he sees a role for himself on the pitch.

He said: "I definitely won’t be coaching the team but if I’m still playing then I’ll definitely be part of it.

"It’s on my manor!

"Getting the Olympics for East London is one of the best things I’ve experienced.

"If I’m still playing and I’m still considered to make a difference to the team I’d love to be involved."

FIFA last month decided to keep an age limit of 23 with three over-age players permitted per team for the London 2012 Olympic football tournament despite the threat of legal challenges from clubs.

Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales have already refused to be part of a united British team which means that the squad that represents Team GB in 2012 will be made up of English players.

But Beckham is nevertheless still excited by the prospect of competing in the Olympics.

He said: "I know Stella [McCartney] and her husband who are designing the shirts so we’ll look good."

After London 2012, Beckham, who is currently recovering from the Achilles injury that kept him out of the World Cup in South Africa, hopes to carry on playing until the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

But the bookmakers do not rate Beckham's chances of appearing at either London or Brazil very highly.

He is 16/1 with William Hill play at London 2012 and 50/1 in the next World Cup.

Hill's spokesman Graham Sharpe said: "Full marks to David Beckham for wanting to extend his Englnnd career or even to play for GB Olympic team - but we can't see either happening."

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