We all know that it is a big deal when global sporting events such as the Olympics come around every 4 years. I’ll be honest and say that in the past, like many football fans, I have not always got into the Olympic spirit and only watched the odd exciting 100m athletics dash when Usain Bolt is running! However, I now have the privilege and the honour of being selected to represent Great Britain women’s football team at this year’s London Olympics. Now I totally understand what all the fuss is about. The event is just huge and all inspiring. We were briefed yesterday on the DO’s and DONT’s of athletes uses of social media (there are a lot of rules) during the games. Thankfully we are allowed to blog! So I feel blessed to be able to share my experience with Y&Y readers through a series of personal LDN 2012 Olympics posts over the next, hopefully, 5 weeks! See pictures of my first 2 days at Team GB after the jump.

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Entering the Team GB Kit Fitting area 

For those of you that may not be aware, the mere existence of a “Team GB” women’s team at this Olympics is somewhat of an exception. The individual home nations (England, N Ireland, Scotland, Wales) have not been permitted to participate in the Olympics before as individual nations. Since London is hosting the Olympics a Team GB group was created both on the men’s and women’s football side. So it is fair to say I am trying to take in every moment, take lots of pictures and cherish every memory because this could quite possibly be the 1st and last Olympics a GB football team could take part in.

The first day we arrived at Loughborough University to get ‘kitted’ out in all the Team GB Adidas gear designed by Stella McCartney. I had my own personal assistant to help me try on the various clothing and take down adjustments if needed. Unfortunately my assistant had to deal with my small self asking for regular trouser adjustments because they were too long. But I instantly thought this was something I could get used to! All our sizes and measurements then got jotted down and processed in an Ikea style warehouse. 3 large Adidas bags were then delivered to each player later in the evening with an abundance of kit. More than we could ever wear!

Wall of support from all over Great Britain

One of the mantra’s of TeamGB or even the Olympics as a whole is “One team”. All athletes and sports are equally respected at the Olympics which is perhaps an unusual concept for many football fans to take on because football dominates in England often to the exclusion of other sports.

The One team mantra instantly hit home for me when the team walked into the hotel and saw Ryan Giggs relaxing on the sofa reading a newspaper ready to join us for dinner. Giggs is an over age player on the men’s GB team who will be sharing training, dinner and accommodation facilities with us throughout the Olympics. We all tried to play it cool, obviously, but lets be real its not everyday you have dinner with a legend like Ryan Giggs! Again, this is unique to the Olympics because men’s and women’s football typically does not mix in England. However at the Olympics we are considered on equal footing which I believe should always be the case.

Stella McCartney designed Adidas gear. There was lots!

A quick disclaimer on the pics. I always try and replicate Yin’s quality in pictures but mine often come out a poor man’s version of Niran’s because of my camera!haha I had every intention to buy a new state of the art camera for the Olympics but somehow spending over £800 on something that would take me forever to get my head around (I’m technologically challenged) did not quite make sense! But nevertheless I hope you enjoy the pictures over the coming weeks of what will be an emotional, once in a lifetime experience for me.

Old School Team GB kit 

Get behind Team GB football! Many of the matches are not in London but if any of you are based around the country click on this link for all information on our games and the women’s Olympic tournament. For those of you in London, we play Brazil on the 31st July at Wembley. Try and get tickets because it is going to be a biggie!!

Catch you on my next LDN 2012 Olympic post! :)

Old School Team GB kit 1984

A lot of expectations on Jessica Ennis

Team GB men at training. Where is Becks at? :(