Team GB at London 2012: The chaotic story of the short-lived men's Olympic team

The Great Britain team line up before the Men's Football first round Group A Match of the London 2012 Olympic Games between Great Britain and Senegal, at Old Trafford on July 26, 2012 in Manchester, England.

There was something off about watching David Beckham steaming up the Thames on a speedboat. And not that it looked like he was driving the thing. One missed turning and Goldenballs could end up in the North Sea; a nautical tribute to Mike Bassett's ill-fated open-top bus parade.

For the London 2012 opening ceremony, Becks was appointed chief carrier of the Olympic torch, for its journey up the river to Stratford's Olympic Stadium. No one really asked why - other than the fact that he was overlooked from playing for Britain at the games. The Olympics could - should, even - have been the perfect full-stop for a tumultuous but iconic international career.