Town defender Tommy Smith waved the Olympic torch on its way out of Ipswich and on to Colchester at Christchurch Mansion early this morning. The 22-year-old, who is in the New Zealand squad for the Olympic football at London 2012, said was proud to have taken part in the ceremony.

Having delivered a short speech from the balcony, Smith tweeted: “An immensely proud moment for me this morning, a great experience and one I will never forget! #memoriestolastalifetime.”

Smith will become Town’s first ever Olympian when the Oly Whites, as New Zealand’s Olympic side is known, take on Belarus at Coventry's Ricoh Arena on July 26th, Egypt at Old Trafford three days later and Brazil at St James' Park, Newcastle on August 1st.

Prior to that the squad, which assembles on Monday, plays friendlies against Japan’s U23s (Tokyo, July 11th), South Korea’s U23s (Seoul, July 14th) and the UAE’s U23s (TBC, July 19th). Smith will miss much of Town's pre-season as a result.

Photo: ITFC

Photo: Action Images

cornishnick added 09:55 - Jul 6 Bless
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itfc1981 added 10:22 - Jul 6 Smith the only person at ITFC who is any good when it comes to the Olympics.
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norfolk_mighty_horse added 10:31 - Jul 6 sign her up as the new keeper.
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brian_a_mul added 10:53 - Jul 6 Good man Tommy, wearing the Town jacket! Surprised "Marcus Evans" isnt sprawled across the jacket lol
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WeirdFishes added 11:53 - Jul 6 So he didnt get a flash new white one?
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Superfrans added 13:54 - Jul 6 Good work Tommy. Looking forward to coming to that NZ-Belarus match. Should be a few ITFC fans there. :-)
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Jimmys_Law added 14:17 - Jul 6 Her name is Emily Rogers. Just saying.
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ITFC4daprem added 16:13 - Jul 6 Saw him in the morning, got a photo and sounded very good, should be a good ambassador
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Talbs77 added 22:03 - Jul 7 Good luck Tommy.
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