David Beckham thinks Olympian should light torch for London 2012

David Beckham does not believe he should be the one to open the London Games by lighting the Olympic torch.

Following his exclusion from Stuart Pearce's squad, speculation has been rife that Beckham, who was a key member of the bid team which brought the Games to London, would be given the honour of lighting the flame during the opening ceremony.

But Beckham appears to have ruled that out.

He told the Daily Mail: "I've always said, lighting the torch in the stadium is something that should be done by an Olympian... who has done incredible things for our country and won gold medals."

London 2012 chairman Sebastian Coe has stated Beckham will be given a role of some description at the Games.