JULY 23 – COLIN MOYNIHAN (pictured), the chairman of the British Olympic Association (BOA), today reassured the public that they will have a British football team to support a the the 2012 Games.
The topic has been one of the most controversial issues since London was awarded the Games because the Scottish and Welsh Football Associations have consistently blocked the plan because they fear it will see them losing their independence to compete in events like the World Cup and European Championships.
But Moynihan today said that there definitely will be a British team in 2012.
Speaking at a lunch in London today organised by the Sports Journalists’ Association he said: “The impact of a British team on the public and their support of the Games will be enormous.
“We would also expect that team to be a strong medal contender and thereby generate tremendous excitement throughout the country.
“We must have a team in these Games and we will have a team.”
It is ironic that Sebastian Coe, the chairman of London 2012, and Moynihan both want Manchester United’s former Scotland manager Sir Alex Ferguson to manage the team in London.
Moynihan said: “We would want the most highly-qualified man for that job so obviously I would support Fergie as well as considering, of course, any English manager the FA might put forward who had comparable credentials.
“The England ladies are strong at the moment and, given the odd Scot coming through, I am sure they would have been strong medal contenders in Beijing.
We will have both teams come 2012.”
The men’s and women’s teams qualified for the Beijing Olympics thanks to the performance of England’s under-21 team in the European Championships and the English women’s team at the World Cup.
But the BOA turned down their invitations.
They have not competed in the Games since 1948 when the team was managed by Sir Matt Busby, Sir Alex’s predecessor at Manchester United.