• Shock as Beckham left out of Team GB football squad
• Overage players set to be Bellamy, Giggs and Richards
• From Manchester to LA, Beckham's career in summary
British Olympic officials are keen to find a significant role for David Beckham at the Games after the former England captain was left out of the Team GB football squad by the coach Stuart Pearce.
Beckham, 37, played a key part in securing the Games for London as part of the delegation that travelled to Singapore in 2005, and worked with the London 2012 chairman Lord Coe as part of the failed bid to land the 2018 World Cup.
The LA Galaxy midfielder has previously spoken of his pride at performing an ambassadorial role, and recently told a delegation of young aspiring sports stars at a Jaguar Academy day that he planned to be in London regardless of whether or not he was picked.
He is believed to be making arrangments to bring his family to London during the Games and has spoken of his excitement at watching basketball and other events in his hometown, having been brought up in Leyton near the Stratford site.
"As a Londoner, I have been really proud to have played a small part in bringing the Olympics to my home town, and I can't wait for the Games to begin," he said.
The absence of the former England captain from Pearce's final 18-man squad, expected to be unveiled in full early next week, also increases the likelihood that he will be involved in Danny Boyle's opening ceremony. Bookmakers have slashed the odds on him lighting the Olympic flame.
Meanwhile, the London 2012 organising committee is also considering whether he should have an official role, and Olympic sponsors Adidas and Samsung are likely to require his presence in London.
The Team GB men's football side are due to start their campaign at Old Trafford on 26 July, the day before the opening ceremony, before facing the United Arab Emirates at Wembley three days later.
Ryan Giggs, Craig Bellamy and Micah Richards are believed to have been selected as the trio of over age players in the 18-strong squad, meaning that other potential contenders such as Joe Cole, Frank Lampard and Michael Carrick have also been overlooked.
"Everyone knows how much playing for my country has always meant to me. So I would have been honored to have been part of this unique Team GB squad," said Beckham. "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."
In April, Pearce said that there was no guarantee that he would pick Beckham. He recently travelled to the US to watch Beckham play.
"He's been a great ambassador but that's no guarantee he'll get in the squad. I'm picking on form and merit alone," said the Team GB coach. "David Beckham will be treated exactly the same as any other individual, whether it is young or over-age.
"I have a duty of care to the Great Britain squad to try to win a gold medal. I will pick the strongest squad I can." Read More
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