Beckham confirms participation in Olympics opening ceremonyJuly 25, 2012 - 16:46 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - David Beckham has confirmed he will take part in Friday's Olympics opening ceremony following his shock snub from Britain's football team, AFP reports. The 37-year-old former England captain was quoted by several newspapers as saying that he has been granted an unspecified role in Friday's extravaganza at the main Olympic stadium. "It is some kind of role in the opening ceremony which I am honored to be involved in because obviously I was involved in the start process with this seven years ago," said Beckham. "And for Seb (Coe) to have kept me involved I'm very proud of that." Beckham, who played a key lobbying role during London's campaign for the Games in 2005, has already ruled out any prospect of him lighting the Olympic flame, saying the honor should go to an established Olympian. The former Manchester United and Real Madrid midfielder had been expected to play for Britain's footballers before being surprisingly axed by coach Stuart Pearce shortly before the Games. Beckham, who now plays for Los Angeles Galaxy in Major League Soccer, said he now plans to travel back and forth between London and the United States during the Games. "I'll be going back and forward but I'll definitely be trying to get to a few events," said Beckham. Top stories Armenian gymnast, Olympic bronze medalist Artur Davtyan has reached the finals of the World Cup. Gor Manvelyan has denied reports alleging that he has expressed a desire to one day play for the French national team. Roma midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan is not considering FC Spartak Moscow as his next haven, according to fresh reports. 10 Armenian lifters will compete in the 2021 World Championships scheduled to be held from 7 to 17 December in Tashkent. Partner news | Russia clarifying reports on Baku’s alleged arms supply to Ukraine Russia says is carefully working to verify reports about alleged arms supplies from Azerbaijan to Ukraine Russia warns Armenia against “falling into West’s trap” Zakharova maintained, however, that anything that will benefit the people of Armenia can only be welcomed. CSTO: Armenia has not participated in secretariat’s work recently Recently Armenia has not participated in the work of the secretariat of the CSTO, Imangali Tasmagambetov said. Meeting with U.S., EU not against third parties, says Armenia The meeting scheduled for April 5 is dedicated to strengthening of the Armenia-EU-US cooperation, Yerevan added. |