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