With 500 days until the games kick off in London, Ambassador Matthew Gould met the people hoping to bring israel some gold medal glory.

Mr Gould met International Olympic Committee member Alex Gilady, secretary general of the Olympic committee of Israel Efraim Zinger and Zvika Vershaviak, president of Israel's Olympic committee.

He said that one of the extraordinary links between Britain and Israel was "shared sporting heritage".

"I’m absolutely convinced London 2012 is going to be a really beautiful expression of that. To play a part in Israel’s involvement in the Games gives me great pleasure.”

The games next year will be the first time Israel has competed at an Olympics held in London. The competition will also mark 40 years since the Munich massacre.