Ryan Giggs: Hoping Team GB is not a one-off

Captain Ryan Giggs hopes London 2012 will not signal the end for Great Britain's football team.

Stuart Pearce's squad entered the Athletes Village at the Olympic Park for the first time on Monday following a warm-weather training camp in Spain.

There was much controversy around the team, with objections from the other Home Nations, who were concerned that it could impact on future independent international status within FIFA.

In the end, five Welshmen were included in Pearce's 18-man squad, as Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey, Liverpool winger Craig Bellamy, Swansea duo Neil Taylor and Joe Allen joined Giggs.

The London Olympics will be the first time that Team GB have competed in the men's football competition since 1960.

But the 38-year-old Manchester United midfielder Giggs sees no reason why 2012 should be a one-time-only event for Team GB.

"I hope it is not a one off, based on what I have experienced and how much I have enjoyed it this week," said Giggs.

Bellamy: Team GB won't be detrimental

"I hope in future Olympics there will be more Great Britain teams.

"Both Craig and I are Welsh and proud of it, but for me it was a chance I could not turn down, of playing in the biggest sporting event in the world.

"I am glad I have done because so far everything has gone great and hopefully that will continue.

"I have had nothing but positive feedback from the people I know, wanting me to do well.

"The different FAs may have opposed it, but people who I have met face to face have been nothing but positive.

"I am not a politician, but from what I have experienced, I just hope fellow British footballers can experience what I have."
Immense

Bellamy was one of the other three over-age players in the squad, Micah Richards being the other, and he echoed - one of Giggs' sentiments that Team GB should be a positive.

"It has been immense," said the 33-year-old Liverpool forward.

"The week away could not have gone any better, all the boys have really got on.

"I never thought this was going to happen, for me to be involved in anything like this.

"I just want to embrace this and enjoy every moment. This is something I am going to cherish for the rest of my life."

Team GB play a warm-up friendly with gold medal favourites Brazil in Middlesbrough on Friday, with the tournament itself kicking off against Senegal at Old Trafford on 26th July.