'Easy!' - Lionesses Lucy Bronze and Niamh Charles pick their favourite ever Olympians as Team GB prepare to get going at Paris 2024

Neither player will be involved at the event as England fell short of securing a spot for a Great Britain team in the Olympic women's football tournament. It looked like Bronze had scored the goal to keep that dream alive, late on in the 6-0 win over Scotland in December, but an even later Netherlands strike in Belgium saw them progress to the UEFA Women's Nations League finals instead, on goal difference. It was there that Spain and Germany confirmed their places at the Games, alongside hosts France.

However, that disappointment won't stop the Lionesses from getting excited about this summer's Olympics as fans. Bronze was spotted earlier this week watching one of the United States women's basketball team's pre-tournament matches in London and now her and Charles have revealed their favourite Olympians of all time, with both opting for fellow Brits.

Asked by Chelsea's social media team for her choice, summer signing Bronze responded: "Easy! Dame Kelly Holmes." Holmes is a former middle distance athlete who set a flurry of British records during an illustrious career which saw her win two gold medals at the 2004 Olympics, in the 800 and 1500 metre events.

Charles, meanwhile, opted for former cyclist Laura Kenny, describing her as "ice cold". Kenny won gold medals at the 2012, 2016 and 2020 Olympic Games, racking up five before announcing her retirement earlier this year.

Bronze was part of Team GB's women's football team at Tokyo 2020, when they reached the quarter-finals under the charge of Hege Riise. Charles has never been to the Olympics but will hope to help her nation qualify for the next one, in 2028.

While the Olympics gets underway this week, Bronze and Charles will get to enjoy a little downtime before Chelsea's pre-season training begins. The Blues, under the new management of Sonia Bompastor after Emma Hayes left to take charge of the United States women's national team, will hope to prepare well for another Women's Super League title defence.