International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Jacques Rogge questioned London 2012’s choice of Real Madrid and England star David Beckham as an ambassador for London’s 2012 bid.
He believes that using Beckham in any role may do more harm to the bid because he will not take part in the Olympics and that any role for Beckham simply makes no sense.
Beckham has been invited by London 2012 bid chairman Barbara Cassani to help in its 2012 campaign. Rogge told the Sunday Times, “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.
“To believe that the IOC will be impressed by top soccer players is a bit naïve”.
Meanwhile, Britain denied Tuesday a tabloid report that it was to send the Elgin Marbles back to Greece in time for the 2004 Games in return for Greek support of London’s own Olympic bid. A Culture department spokeswoman said the article wasn’t true. “It is actually a matter for the British Museum, were they to want to send the Marbles back. But it remains the position that (Culture Secretary) Tessa Jowell isn’t planning to send them back before the Olympics”, said the spokeswoman. “It would need legislation to get the Marbles sent back, but it would be up to the trustees of the museum to approach us”.
