I just want to put on record my admiration for the stance Stuart Pearce has taken over the 'I want to play in the Olympics Beckham'. I am well aware that this will upset some fans especially the younger ones, who still hero worship him, but it's the right decision! He's had his day and is now trading on a past reputation. Was he ever the superhero he was made out to be? The Olympic motto is CITIUS ALTIUS FORTIUS, Faster, Higher, Stronger, these things do not and never did apply to David Beckham, it should be for the younger players. We won't win the thing, no way on earth, but at least we have remained true to the spirit of the Olympics in a small way. Well done Physco. I am genuinely interested in what other people think. I would just like to point out that it's not been posted to wind people up, it's my point of view, and would like to see yours. ILD OTBC
I think he should have gone. He deserves it after contributing to getting the Olympics in this country, he is role model and will go out of his way to teach the younger players things. He won't cause harm to a team at all, he will probably show the younger players that playing for your country is an honour. And if it is for footballing reasons than why is Giggs and Bellamy there? Is he really saying they are the two top players in Britain over 23 years old? No chance, he picked them two on sentiment, and if anyone should be picked on sentiment it's Beckham. I just think that is contradictory personally.
I, for one, am very disappointed for Becks! The bloke is very passionate about wanting to represent his country, the sort of passion that most of today's England internationals are sadly lacking, when you compare that to the international record of our designated captain, who was permanently injured for Wales friendlies, those injuries mysteriously clearing two days later so he could play for manure, I think Pearce has got this one badly wrong! So there!
i doubt this will surprise anyone but i could not disagree more strongly with you ILD. in fact, i think stuart pearce is a self-obsessed, arrogant, incompetent, total and utter twat who should never have been given the gig in the first place beckham should have gone. absolutely 100%.
Football is NOT an Olympic sport along with Tennis, Archery, Synchronised Swimming etc. etc., That is all
Becks should have gone, he would still be able to do it at that stage. plus as others have said he is a role model unlike 'Putter' Bellendamy!
agree about scyro swimming, i mean does anybody know what the hell that is about, next thing we will have to have Louis friggin Spence judging! and if archery is allowed, why is Darts not considered as a olympic sport?
why the **** should that twat beckham go? To adverstise merchandise that no want wants, can't see a good football reason for him to go. Actually I really couldn't care less about football in the Olympics
this is a difficult one though, because as a nation, we are just about the ONLY ones who think this way. ask any argentinians and they will be able to reel off all their olympic wins - they are massively proud of all their triumphs in this competition. i do think sometimes our nation can be a bit dimwitted and i think we are over olympic football. its been a part of the olympics since its conception! its a big deal to every other country, maybe we should take their approach - maybe then we could produce some decent players who get experience of tournament football. perhaps that contradicts slightly with the 'take beckham' approach but actually i feel having beckham there would have highlighted the competition better.
I do agree with YL about Beckham playing a very important role in bringing the Olympics to London. However, I don't believe sentimentality should come into the equation.I believe that it is right to take Bellamy and Giggs over him. I say this because both are still playing in a very tough, competitive football league, and Giggs especially, is proving he can still cut it.
Still unsure about the Beckham thing myself. He is a huge figure for Great British sport and so should be part of the team as well as helping to get the games to London. But on the other side he's not as good as he used to be and better players deserve a chance instead.
But are Giggs and Bellamy the best over 23 players available to Team GB? No Picked on sentiment, which completely contradicts Beckham's omission. That's my problem with it, I would have taken him personally Also agree with Supers, why not have football in the olympics, to be fair it'll give me my football fix which everyone needs in the summer.
I think any sport where winning a gold medal is not necessarily the pinnacle of a career should not be included in the Olympics. Tennis, men's football and, from next Olympics, golf fall into this category for me. Secondly any "sport" that includes marks for artistic impression also fails my "is this a credible sport test?"
Got to say I agree with ILD - the only thing I think was particular wrong was the way it was handled. He should've known well In advance that he wouldn't be going, rather than dragged through it in public. That really was off, but to have included him just for his part in getting the games here would have ridiculous and what would that say about Pearce as a manager - not that I think much of the guy as a manager anyway - what's sad is that I can see him holding onto that job for a long time, regardless of success or lack of it...
As passionate as Beckham may be I think omitting him was the right thing to do. Although a goal ratio of 1 in 5 for LA Galaxy is still pretty good he is not playing in a league that can be considered one of the best in the world. I am sure he can still pass a ball but so can others and I would much rather see someone else get a bit of the lime-light. After all, Becks has had more than his share over the years. Having spouted all that rubbish - football should not be in the Olympic games as far as I am concerned, bring back the days when it was amateurs that took part
