TiME for SoME
This has been trotted out so often the poor
excuse is getting tired and there are many
who think the fears are groundless and a
result more of a urge for self-preservation
SoCCEr hEroES
than any realistic threat of the rest of the
world ganging up on us.
But even if there was a danger would it be
While the welcome Wales gave to Olympic football is for teams aged under 23 beyond our home unions to conduct some
our olympic heroes on their return and the European Under-21 championship statesmanlike diplomacy worldwide and
from China at the end of august is used as the qualifying tournament for this persuade those who might be against us to
still echoes around Cardiff bay continent. treat this as a special case. I refuse to believe
i fear the seeds of discord over that our standing in the world of football
Welsh participation in the next Since the four home nations each submit a doesn't carry the necessary influence.
olympic Games in london in four team in Under-21s it is impossible for them
years time have already been to qualify as a whole and that is perfectly But they don't seem willing even to try -
sown. reasonable. Each country wants to develop its they've stubbornly set their faces against it
own young talent. without attempting to put up a fight.
Even those of us who tend to be cynical
about Olympic ballyhoo could scarce forebear But, suddenly, new circumstances exist. With Surely the priority of any Football Association
to add to the cheers of the thousands who London being the host city a GB side would should be the development of the footballers
turned out to greet ten Welsh members of automatically qualify and the country that under their care and this could be the only
the great britain team. gave football to the world would be able to chance for our most talented prospects to
play in the Olympics. play at a high international level.
It was a unreserved display of national
appreciation for the exploits of gold medal It would not be a problem if all four were It was a chance denied to the likes of George
winners Nicole Cooke, Tom James and allowed to enter in their own right but Best, Ryan Giggs and a host of others whose
Geraint Thomas plus the gallantry of long- Olympic rules demand that we enter as one countries have found it difficult to qualify for
distance swimmer David Davies who gained a nation and it is entirely natural that now the the finals of major events.
dramatic silver. scene has shifted from Beiijing to London the
British Olympic Association should resurrect Some say that a highly professional game like
In a year when our sporting admiration their request for the four home nations to football should have no part in the Olympics
had already been lavishly showered on the merge for this one-off opportunity. and I wouldn't die arguing against that view.
Welsh rugby team's Grand Slam, Cardiff City
reaching the FA Cup Final at Wembley and It would greatly enhance the excitement Like it or not, football is now an integral part
Joe Calzaghe extending his unbeaten reign as and earning capacity of the Games with of the Olympic Games and since it is to be
world champion it was amazing that we still matches staged in all four countries but, more staged on our soil for the first time in sixty
had new sporting triumphs to celebrate and importantly, we would have a realistic chance years other considerations should be put
enough enthusiasm left to celebrate them of a medal at that age level. aside for an occasion not likely to happen
loudly. again in most of our lifetimes.
”it was a year for
It was a year for punching well above our There is another aspect yet to be considered.
weight, for achieving far more than we had punching well above our We have an excellent crop of youngsters
a right to expect, but even as we revelled in coming up through the Welsh international
the glory there were welshmen solemnly weight...” ranks. By 2012 it could a substantial number
deciding that whatever feats our sportsmen yearning to fulfil their potential. How are
and women can achieve next time our Sir Alec Ferguson was nominated as the they going to regard being robbed of an
brightest young footballers will be denied the coach. If he fancied the job it would be a opportunity of this magnitude? It is not
opportunity even to take part. fitting adornment to the end of his career and unknown for players to call a premature end
who wouldn't be excited at the prospect of to their international careers. It has happened
Wales, along with Scotland and, a little more him leading our best young footballers against to Wales often in recent years.
reluctantly, Northern Ireland will refuse the Brazils and Argentinas of this world.
v
iewpoint
to allow their players to play in a team It would be a appalling choice for a young
representing the United Kingdom in the 2012 But led by Scotland, whose opposition is man to be forced into - and with agents and
games. close to paranoia, the Celtic nations refused top clubs liable to bring an influence to bear
to contemplate joining up with England it wouldn't be a desirable situation for anyone.
This is not a new subject and the arguments even for a couple of weeks and the main
for and against are well-rehearsed. But reason for their refusal is a fear that once But there is a real danger it could happen
lympics
previously the debate tended to be we combine the home nations into one and the consequences could be more serious
o
hypothetical because logistically it was not team the precedent will have been set and than anything yet contemplated by those
possible for a collective UK team to qualify other countries will demand that we enter responsible for this impasse.
for the Olympics. all international competitions under the GB
SW
banner.
words Peter corrigan
37
sportingwales
issue4twothousand&eight
SW_Issue4.indd 37 9/10/08 15:33:31
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