Giggs still available for Team GB, eyes Beckham reunion

The Welsh FA might not be too keen on contributing to Team GB, but Ryan Giggs doesn’t seem to mind. The Manchester United legend is eyeing a role at this summer’s London Olympics, even if his nation’s federation would have him stay away.

Though Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales compete individually on the international level, the nations have been lumped in with England for this summer’s Olympics, which are contested by kingdom of Great Britain. As such, soccer players from those nations will have to compete for Team GB or not at all.

‘Not at all’ is Wales’ preferred option. Northern Ireland and Scotland want the same from their players. Their reasoning: The concept of a Team GB undermines the country’s individual football associations, which have independent recognition from FIFA. If a Team GB is allowed to compete at this major tournament, where will it end?

At this major tournament, most would say. The slippery slope is hard to see.

Apparently, Giggs is overlooking the fallacy, too, having re-affirmed his desire to be one of Stuart Pearce’s the over-age (older than 23) selections.

“I’ve put myself forward to be involved,” said Giggs, who has already spoken to the GB head coach, Stuart Pearce. “Whether I get picked we’ll have to see. Everybody is excited about the Olympics coming to London and different parts of Britain.”

That second part is important. The soccer tournament isn’t just a London-based event. Matches will also be taking place in Glasgow (Scotland) and Cardiff (Wales), in addition to Manchester, Newcastle, and Coventry. Only five of the events 32 games will be waged in London.

Giggs isn’t the only prominent Welshman to defy his country’s FA, with Tottenham Hotspur dynamo Gareth Bale also professing his desire to play in the Olympics.

He also isn’t the only Manchester United-linked winger to put his boot in, with LA Galaxy cast member David Beckham is hoping London will be his international swan song.

“Becks is obviously a friend,” said Giggs of the 37-year-old, “and he remains a great player. If [featuring in the GB side together] was to be, it’d be great. I started my playing career with Becks in the [United] youth team. Twenty years later, to be still doing that would be great.”

To me, these two are obvious picks, though many question whether Beckham’s play warrants a spot on the team. Depending on how Team GB does, the squad could be looking at six games in 16 days, too much for the 37-year-old to handle. Then again, that’s why squads are allowed to pick more than 11 players.

Whether the intent behind that is to allow honorific appointments is more debatable. The general public in England seem to want Beckham to participate. Stodgy soccer honks worried about which players are “in form”? Not so much.

I don’t really care how Team GB does at the summer games, so my main concern is entertainment value. If we’re talking about nothing more than a few minutes of Giggs and Beckham at this summer’s games, I’m already far more interested in this tournament than I was China’s.