Bale's Games misery

Bale was widely anticipated to be included in manager Stuart Pearce's Great Britain team for the Olympic tournament starting at the end of July.

But it is understood the 22-year-old Wales international has suffered a recurrence of an old back and hip injury after pulling up while running.

Bale's tale:

1989: Born July 16 in Cardiff.

2005: Joins Southampton as a trainee.

2006: April 17 - Aged 16 years, 275 days, becomes second-youngest footballer to play for Southampton in 2-0 Championship win against Millwall.

May - Makes Wales Under-21 debut against Cyprus. Quickly promoted to the senior squad for a friendly against Trinidad and Tobago, coming off the bench to become Wales' youngest-ever full international at 16 years and 315 days.

July 16 - Signs first professional contract with Southampton on his 17th birthday.

August 6 - Scores first goal for Saints with free-kick on opening day of the season in a 2-2 draw at Derby.

September 5 - Makes first start for Wales in 2-0 defeat to Brazil.

October 7 - Becomes Wales' youngest-ever goalscorer with a trademark free-kick in a 5-1 defeat to Slovakia.

2007: January - Bale's agent says he is happy to stay at Southampton despite Manchester United and Tottenham reportedly bidding $15 million for the player.

Both clubs admit their interest.

May 25 - Bale joins Tottenham.

August 26 - Makes his first-team debut for Tottenham in a 1-0 defeat at Manchester United.

September 1 - Scores first Tottenham goal in away draw at Fulham.

September 15 - Scores in his first north London derby against Arsenal.

December 2 - Injury against Birmingham rules him out for the rest of the season.

2009: June - Undergoes knee surgery, ruling him out for the start of the 2009-10 Premier League campaign.

September 26 - Bale tastes victory as a Premier League player for the first time in 25 attempts in the 5-0 defeat of Burnley.

2010: January 26 - Secures first victory as a Premier League starter at the 23rd time of asking.

April - Scores in successive games against Arsenal and Chelsea to help Tottenham finish in the Premier League's top four. Named player of the month.

May - Signs new four-year deal for Tottenham.

August 25 - Sets up all four goals as Tottenham beat Young Boys 4-0 in the second leg of their Champions League qualifying game to progress to the group stages.

October 20 - Scores a scintillating hat-trick against Inter Milan at the San Siro.

Named Welsh player of the year by the FAW.

November 2 - Produces man-of-the-match display as Tottenham beat Inter 3-1.

2011: January 28 - Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp rules out possibility of selling Bale, amid interest from Inter.

March 19 - Bale signs new four-and-a-half-year deal with Spurs.

March 24 - Ruled out of Wales' game against England with hamstring injury.

April 17 - Named Professional Footballers' Association Player of the Year.

2012: January - Named in the UEFA team of the year. Also named as Premier League player of the month for the second time.

June 27 - Signs new four-year contract with Spurs.

June 30 - Suffers a recurrence of an old back and hip injury after pulling up while running, seemingly ending his hopes of competing in the Olympics.