The SNP have been delving into the past to see what is possible in terms of Scotland being involved in sport on their own terms. They have found a precedent set for the London Olympics for all four home nation football teams to take part in the Olympic Games, when football became an official Olympic sport in 1908. SNP Olympics spokesman Pete Wishart MP called for the precedent to be revived for 2012 to allow all home nation teams to participate. The research shows Scotland was invited to take part in the 1908 games, along with Wales and Ireland. Special clauses in the games rules continued for the 1912 games to allow countries to submit four teams - specifically to allow Scotland, Wales, Ireland and England to all enter football teams. The 1912 rules state "Each National Football Association belonging to a nation recognized as such by the International Olympic Committee and affiliated to the International Football Federation (Federation Internationale de Football Association) is entitled to send four teams." The research also shows a team competing as "GB - Scotland" won bronze in the 1908 Olympic hockey tournament and Scotland came fourth in the cycling in 1912.

Pete Wishart MP said: "In 1908 the unique position of the home nations was recognised by the London Olympics and all four countries were invited to send a football team. That position should be recognised in 2012 with a revival of the practice for the London Games. If we are looking for a solution for London 2012, then let it be this one, and let's see the Scottish, Welsh, Northern Irish and English teams playing football with the rest of the world at London 2012. In 1908 the SFA could not afford to send a team! If the London Olympics make the offer for 2012 I think we can safely say Scotland would be there. Scotland has competed as a separate team in hockey and in cycling - winning a medal at hockey in 1908. And our track record in cycling at the Olympics goes back to 1912 with the Scottish team coming fourth in Stockholm. Instead of trying to forge a GB football team that simply does not exist the London Olympics offers an opportunity to revive previous practice at a London Games, to preserve and promote Scotland's national team and to allow all four home nation teams to compete."

Mr Wishart also seized on Labour disarray over the threat to the national football teams after a Labour Member of the Welsh Assembly, Lesley Griffiths, slammed the "climate of coercion" which had been apparent over attempts to force plans for a Team GB. Wishart added: "Gordon Brown's plans for a Team GB are unraveling fast, and it will be acutely embarrassing for the prime minister that this latest attack comes from a Labour Member of the Welsh Assembly. The footballing nations are looking increasingly united against the idea of a Team GB, and the sooner these ridiculous plans are ditched the better."