The LA Galaxy midfielder was controversially left out of Stuart Pearce's 18-man team for the Games but has now confirmed that he will continue to be involved in London.
Beckham was part of the successful bid team seven years ago and described how grateful he remains to Sebastian Coe, chairman of the London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games, for giving him a part to play.
"It's amazing to see," Beckham told ITV. "To be involved in the bid team that got the Olympics to London is something I feel very proud about.
"[I will have] some kind of role in the opening ceremony which I am honored to be involved in because obviously I was involved in the start of this process seven years ago.
"For it to all come to life now, and to see the Olympic Park built and all the athletes start to arrive is exciting.
"I'm privileged to still be involved in this. I was involved seven years ago [in bringing the Games to London] and Seb [Coe] has kept me involved since then. I feel very honoured with that.
"At the time I said it felt a bit strange to be involved in an Olympic bid team, because I'd never performed in the Olympics or been an Olympian. So to be asked to be part of that bid team, I was very honoured.
"Seb's an amazing man who's done amazing things leading up to these Olympics, and who continues to do amazing things. So for him to keep me involved, I feel privileged."
Beckham, now 37, has won more England caps than any other outfield player and captained his country between 2000 and 2006.
Sourced: http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/4433/2012-olympics/2012/07/24/3262986/beckham-to-play-small-part-in-olympic-opening-ceremony
Damon Smith gives his verdict on the latest Batman film: The Dark Knight Rises
The Dark Knight Rises (12A, 164 mins)
Released: July 20 (UK & Ireland)
Released: July 20 (UK & Ireland)
Parting is such sweet sorrow.
Director Christopher Nolan completes his dark and brooding trilogy based on the DC Comics crime-fighter in suitably grandiose fashion, delivering not only the longest film in the series but also the most brutal, violent and satisfying.
Replete with more than an hour of footage shot on IMAX cameras to enhance picture quality and truly immerse the audience in the pulse-quickening action, The Dark Knight Rises ends Nolan’s tenure on a giddy high.
Marion Cotillard, Gary Oldman, Anne Hathaway, Christian Bale, and Morgan Freeman
It’s to the London-born film-maker’s credit that he resisted the urge to jump on the 3D bandwagon for the caped crusader’s swansong.
Certainly, the breathlessly orchestrated action sequences, including the spectacular opening aboard a huge C-130 Hercules transport plane, would draw bigger gasps in the eye-popping format.
Certainly, the breathlessly orchestrated action sequences, including the spectacular opening aboard a huge C-130 Hercules transport plane, would draw bigger gasps in the eye-popping format.
However, Nolan has always focused on the characters and their twisted psychologies, and he puts all of them and us through the emotional wringer in this final chapter, co-written by his brother Jonathan.
The script is a little too cute in places, inadvertently giving away one major plot point well in advance, but it certainly doesn’t hurt our enjoyment to be two steps ahead of the good guys.
Christian Bale brings typical intensity to the title role and the tender bond with Sir Michael Caine’s lackey continues to tug heartstrings.
Thankfully, Tom Hardy’s electronic vocals have been improved since the early trailers for the film so his masked villain is largely intelligible and Anne Hathaway slinks away from Michelle Pfeiffer’s memorable portrayal of Catwoman but still purrs some choice one-liners.
It is eight years since Batman falsely assumed responsibility for the death of District Attorney Harvey Dent (Aaron Eckhart) in order to bring the anti-crime legislation into effect and crush Gotham’s criminal fraternity.
The caped crusader is a fading memory and crippled billionaire Bruce Wayne (Bale) has become a virtual recluse, holed up in his manor with trusty butler Alfred (Caine).
An encounter with wily cat burglar Selina Kyle (Hathaway) draws Bruce into the orbit of hulking terrorist Bane (Hardy), who intends to complete the work of Ra’s al Ghul (Liam Neeson) and destroy Gotham and its money-oriented denizens.
A dastardly plot unfolds but Bruce is physically and mentally unable to stop gangs of gun-toting mercenaries from overwhelming Commissioner Gordon (Gary Oldman) and the Gotham police force, including idealistic officer John Blake (Joseph Gordon-Levitt).
As Bane’s uprising gathers momentum, Bruce turns to technical genius Lucius Fox (Morgan Freeman) and loyal board member Miranda Tate (Marion Cotillard) to protect his beloved Wayne Enterprises.
Alas, money can only go so far and Bruce must don his cowl one final time, putting his life on the line to save the residents of Gotham, who had previously turned their backs on him.
“I won’t bury you. I’ve buried enough members of the Wayne family,” warns Alfred, tears glistening.
The Dark Knight Rises should satisfy ardent fans of the previous two instalments while delivering all of the slam-bang thrills required of a muscular summer blockbuster.
Action sequences are adrenaline-pumping from the bruising fist fights, which fully warrant the film’s 12A certificate, to high-speed chases aboard the nifty two-wheeled Bat-Pod and the introduction of a state-of-the-art stealth aircraft nicknamed The Bat.
Nolan effortlessly sustains tension throughout, harking back to earlier episodes as he sews up some but not all of the sinewy plot threads.
Heath Ledger’s Joker is noticeable by his absence and never mentioned.
Heath Ledger’s Joker is noticeable by his absence and never mentioned.
“The Batman has to come back,” whispers Commissioner Gordon at one point, echoing the sentiments of fans around the world.
Some prayers are never answered.
Some prayers are never answered.
