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FA planning to send men's and women's GB teams to 2016 Olympics

Image: Team GB football

The Football Association are planning to send men's and women's Great Britain teams to compete in the 2016 Olympics Games in Rio.

The FA had initially ruled out entering teams but has now written to the Scottish, Northern Irish and Welsh Football Associations informing them of their intention and asking if they would like to take part.

A British Olympic Association official said: "We have received confirmation from the FA of their intention to enter into the qualification process for Rio 2016 for both men and women's tournaments."

Football's world governing body Fifa would have to sanction the move before GB would be allowed to enter both teams.

The top four in the men's European Under-21 tournament qualify for the Olympics, as do the top three European teams in the women's World Cup.

Team GB teams played at the London 2012 Olympics with players from a variety of the home nations despite three associations refusing to officially take part.

Five Wales internationals including Ryan Giggs and Aaron Ramsey were selected for Team GB in 2012, but the rest of the squad were English, while there were two Scots in the 18-strong women's squad.

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