Tottenham Hotspur winger Gareth Bale has admitted that he was shocked at the omission of David Beckham from the Team GB Olympic squad.

Many had tipped the LA Galaxy midfielder to captain the side but instead missed out altogether, as Ryan Giggs, Craig Bellamy and Micah Richards were selected as the over-age players.

Bale, who misses the tournament with a back injury, says that he was surprised that Beckham was left out after all he did for the Olympic bid.

"I was very surprised," Bale.

"I think he's done a lot to get the Olympics to London. But after that he's a great player, he's been playing well for LA Galaxy, and I think pretty much the whole nation's a bit disappointed he wasn't in the team."

Bale is currently on tour with Spurs in the USA.