International Olympic Committee President (IOC) Jacques Rogge has made it clear that having David Beckham as an ambassador for London 2012 could affect the bid’s credibility.
London bid chairwoman Barbara Cassani has invited Real Madrid player Beckham to help in its campaign for the 2012 Summer Olympic Games.
But Rogge told the Sunday Times that Beckham does not even compete in the Olympics as Great Britain doesn’t have a team in the football event.
Rogge said, “I’ve nothing against Beckham but what is the consistency of sending a soccer player to support the bid who you know is not going to compete in the Olympic Games. There’s no way that Beckham can participate in the Olympic Games because Great Britain does not have a team.
“David Beckham is not going to win you the Olympic Games. He is a great player but whether he will be good to help London win the right to host the Games, there has to be a big question mark because of the lack of credibility in the sense that he can’t actually participate”.
Rogge added, “to believe that the IOC will be impressed by top soccer players is a bit naïve. We are seeing great Olympic champions on a day-to-day basis. We meet them, we see them training and we see them competing.
“It’s not like presenting a famous athlete or soccer player to the public from a balcony and all the groupies cheering. Top athletes are our daily bread”.
