Source: Daily_Mail
Aaron Ramsey and Gareth Bale move closer to Olympic contention
Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey will be picked by the Great Britain Olympic team for the 2012 Games - assuming they are still in contention - as opposition to a united British team from Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales crumbles under political pressure.[LNB]The British Olympic Association have confirmed they will expect the English FA, who are administering the Olympic team, to select the best possible side as to pick anall-England XI would be in breach of the Olympic charter, which outlaws discrimination.[LNB] In contention: Aaron Ramsey and Gareth Bale[LNB]The Irish Football Association, who along with the FA of Wales and Scottish FA, are maintaining their opposition to a British team because they fear that it would undermine the international status of the home nations within FIFA, have become the first to admit that they could not stop players from Northern Ireland accepting selection for a GB Olympic team.[LNB]Jim Shaw, chairman of the IFA, said: 'If a player wants to play, we would probably not stand in his way. But I would be doubtful if a player would be happy to play under those circumstances.'[LNB]Bale, however, has recently said he would 'love to play in the Olympics' in defiance of the Welsh FA.[LNB]For Bale and Ramsey, who will both meet the age criteria for the Under-23 team in 2012, it represents their best chance of ever playing in a major tournament.[LNB]With political pressure growing for Britain to field the best team possible, the English FA will hold talks with their British counterparts in the New Year.[LNB] Kenny Dalglish: What a year for those Spanish magicians and a Welsh wizardPatrick Collins: From the fall of Wayne Rooney... to the rise of Graeme McDowell[LNB] Explore more:People: Gareth Bale Places: Scotland, United Kingdom, Wales, Northern Ireland Organisations: Irish Football Association, British Olympic Association
