The 32-year-old from Essex could technically compete in the tournament as the Olympic eligibility rule allows for three over-age players, the rest being 23 or under.

At present, Lampard is an outside bet to compete at the Games after the European Club Association (ECA) stated earlier this month that it totally opposes players being forced to take part in Euro 2012 in Ukraine and Poland as well as the London 2012 Games.

Lampard is almost certain to make the England squad for Euro 2012 if they qualify for the tournament which would appear to jeopardise his participation at the Olympics but the midfielder stated it would be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to compete for Britain at the Games.

"If you ask any individual players, they would want to be there," Lampard told The Sun.

"Not many of us will ever get a chance to take part in an Olympics and certainly not many in a home Olympics.

"I was lucky enough to be involved in Euro 96 as a young man and I can remember the excitement of driving to Wembley, feeling the whole country behind it.

"I would love to have played in a European Championships or a World Cup in England.

"You can't underestimate the importance of the home factor.

"It will be great having the whole nation behind the GB Olympics team.

"It's like that in football.

"We play home and away for Chelsea and you think every game should be the same.

"It's 11 v 11, but there is a psychological element and having the home crowd on your side does give you an advantage."

The London 2012 Olympic football team remains a controversial topic with constant questions about whether Britain will be represented by a cross-section of players from all four national home associations or just from England.

Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have all stated they will not take part in a unified team for fear of compromising their individual memberships of FIFA.

Lampard prefers to stay out of such matters but revealed that he has been a huge fan of the Olympics since he was young and that he is excited about the Games coming to London next year.

"I loved all the sports as a kid - triple jump, javelin, everything," he said.

"Watching the Olympics leaves an impression on your brain.

"I'm not a big hockey watcher but come the Olympics I'll be watching it, especially when the Great Britain team are involved.

"And swimming.

"It's great to hear Ian Thorpe is coming back for the London Olympics.

"I like watching the weightlifting too, and the long distance track events because I've done a lot of cross-country.

"I don't think I would have been good enough to be a top athlete but luckily I had football.

"I often drive past the stadium on my way back from seeing the family in Essex and I've watched it develop.

"It is very exciting.

"It's always been a good area for producing talent, but the Olympics will be great for the whole country.

"Hopefully there are kids out there who have loved certain sports, who maybe never thought they would follow it through, who will be inspired by the Olympics.

"It is a once in a lifetime opportunity.

"It is not about becoming the next Wayne Rooney or Lionel Messi, the next Jessica Ennis, Mo Farah or Sir Chris Hoy.

"It's about the opportunity to take part in sport.

"You might not get to the top but you can get so much out of it."

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