Stuart Pearce and Hope Powell will lead the British men's and women's football teams at the 2012 Olympics after their appointments were today announced by the Football Association. Great Britain will field a men's team in the Olympics for the first time since the Rome Games of 1960 and next year will be a debut appearance for the women's team. Both Pearce and Powell have the option to select players from England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
The other Home Nations have opposed the selection of their players over a fear it would erode their status as independent national associations. Pearce, the England U-21 manager and also a coach for Fabio Capello's senior side, said: "I am extremely proud to have this opportunity and I'm very much looking forward to getting started. I was fortunate to be part of EURO 96, so I know how special it can be to play for your country on home soil at a major tournament. I'm sure this group of players will relish being part of not only a huge tournament in this country, but a unique one competing together and representing the UK."
Powell, England women's head coach since 1998, has led her side to four successive major finals. She said: "The attendances at the games during EURO 2005 were a sign of progress for women's football in this country, and it helped provide a platform for what has happened since then. I'm delighted to be in the position to be able to take a team into such an illustrious tournament, I just wish it were starting tomorrow."
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