Coach Hope Powell hopes Great Britain's women's football team will participate in future Olympics after seeing their hopes of medal glory in 2012 ended at the quarter-final stage by Canada.
Goals from Jonelle Filigno and Christine Sinclair earned Canada a 2-0 win in front of 28,000 fans at the City of Coventry Stadium. The GB women's and men's teams took part in the current Games after qualifying by being the host country but Powell wants her side to taste the same stage in 2016 in Brazil.
She said: "For myself and the players this has been an incredible experience and, if we get the opportunity again, I would give it the thumbs up. I am not a decision-maker but, if it is just the women's team that get the chance to go into the next Olympics, I would take it."
She went on: "Our girls have learnt so much from this this tournament and you can only improve from such experiences. I would love GB to be part of it again."
Powell had no complaints about the result as two goals in the opening half left GB with a mountain to climb.
She said: "It was a tough game and we could not get into the groove until we went two nil down. Credit to Canada. They were very physical and muscled out of the game at times. We wanted to stay in the tournament for the long haul and the players were distraught afterwards.
"But I said they should be proud of what they have achieved. They have won a lot of fans and can hold their heads up high. They are Olympians and that can never be taken away from them."
Canada will now face current Olympic holders United States in the quarter-finals.
Their English-born coach, John Herdman, said: "We talked before the game about rising to the challenge. It was about growing through the tournament and be able to handle the big moments.
"A couple of players produced personal bests and we will need a few more personal bests against USA."
Source: PA
