Sebastian Coe working on Beckham roles

The London 2012 chairman Sebastian Coe has confirmed that David Beckham will have "two very clear roles" at the Olympic Games. Becks was a key figure in the bid team that secured the Games in 2005 and has been one of the most visible celebrity supporters of it in the years since.

Many had anticipated his hard work for the cause would help him win one of the three over-age player slots in Team Great Britain's soccer team but the manager Stuart Pearce opted not to take Becks.

"He's a north-east London boy, he knows what sports means in those areas, and he's probably one of our longest and truest supporters. "We are scoping a role for him at the moment... I actually spoke to him over the course of the weekend. We're working on it but you'll have to watch this space."

Sir Sebastian Coe also made it clear that Beckham's task would not be a mere marketing opportunity. "He will be in London with us and he will have two very clear roles within the Games. He will be more than an ambassador given what he has done, the commitment he has given and the amount of time he has spent with us in London on this project."

source: guardian.co.uk