David Beckham hails "inspiring" Olympic Torchbearer

David Beckham has hailed 18-year-old sportswoman and Olympic Torchbearer Gabriella Roseje as an inspiration.

Roseje, from Bermondsey, London, has been chosen by Beckham and sponsor Samsung Electronics as one of the 8,000 torchbearers because of her work with young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Beckham said: "Gabriella is an impressive and inspiring person. Not only is she successful in her own right, she willingly supports and helps those around her.

"Gabriella stands out for all the right reasons. I'm proud to nominate her as Samsung's first Olympic Torchbearer.

"Gabriella is the perfect example of the kind of qualities we are looking for in a person to run with the Olympic Flame."

Roseje added: "I am so excited to be chosen by Samsung and David Beckham to become Samsung's first London 2012 Torchbearer nominee. My goal is to make a real difference by helping others realise that it's not where you are from in life that's important but where you can go.

"I don't believe I am any different from anyone else, but I do believe that everyone can offer something. I hope my nomination inspires others to nominate someone they think goes the extra mile; to be a Samsung Olympic Games Torchbearer."

In 2010, singer Shania Twain said that she was "proud" to carry the Olympic Torch through her hometown of Timmins, Ontario in Canada.

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