After the confirmation that a British women's football team will bid to qualify for the Olympic Games in Tokyo in 2022, England and Barcelona striker Toni Duggan has spoken of her excitement about the move, and the possibility of becoming an Olympian.
In another step forward for the women's game in Britain, the four home nations brokered a deal this week that will allow Phil Neville's lionesses to attempt to qualify for the Olympics on behalf of Britain, via their performance in the 2019 Women's World Cup in France.
In order to qualify for the games, England must finish as one of the top three European sides in France next summer, which would see a British Women's football team take part in an overseas game for the first time in history.
Liverpool-born FC Barcelona striker Toni Duggan missed out on the only previous women's side to represent Team GB at an Olympic games, being placed on the standby list by manager Hope Powell in 2012, and eventually not being called upon at all.
After Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales elected not to take part in the Olympic games in Rio (2016), Toni Duggan is ecstatic at the opportunity to finally become an Olympian, should the Lionesses secure qualification this summer for Tokyo 2022.
Duggan spoke to the media shortly after the announcement, saying: "I'm very excited. I was unfortunate to miss out and be so close yet so far at London 2012. It's always something that's played on my mind, being an Olympian, so hopefully we get there do the job at the World Cup. I'd love nothing more than to go to Tokyo."
Again Duggan spoke to the media during the Lionesses' preparations for the tournament in France; two friendly games, first against Copa America femenina champions Brazil and their talismanic captain Marta, as well as a clash against Austrailia's Women's Matildas at Craven Cottage.
Duggan expressed her mood regarding the pressure to perform on the World Stage next summer, saying: "I think you judge players and managers on how they perform at World Cups. We'll be playing against the best players in the world, from different cultures and backgrounds, so to test yourself against them is the pinnacle. Our journey really starts now. It's going to be a long one but that's the incentive."