The 27-year-old Arsenal striker, who has scored 93 goals in 86 international appearances, said in an interview published in today's edition of The Scotsman that Scotland retaining its separate identity is more important than Britain competing in the Games in London.

"Of course the Olympics is a huge thing, but for me, first and foremost, I'm Scottish," Fleeting told the newspaper.

"I love playing for the national team and I'm very proud to be Scottish.

"I've been told that if there's a Great Britain team then the national team will be scrapped, which is something I don't want.

"I'd love to make sure that every young Scottish girl gets the chance to play for their national team.

"If the prospect of a GB team threatens that then I don't want to be part of it. "

Heavily influencing Fleeting's decision is the fact that her father Jim is the director of development at the Scottish Football Association, who are strongly opposed to the idea of a Team GB in 2012 because they fear it will lead to FIFA and UEFA stripping them of their right to compete in the World Cup and European Championships.

"My dad feels very strongly about it," Fleeting said.

"I've actually been told that I could be disowned if I ever play in the Olympics.

"So there's a risk of losing a family there..."

Fleeting, who has scored 28 goals for Arsenal this season, is due to play for the North London club today against Swedish club Umeå in the first leg of the women's UEFA Cup final.

England's women's team - among them many of Fleeting's Arsenal team-mates - travel to China in September to play in the World Cup.

If they finish in the top four of the European teams then they will qualify for next year's Olympics in Beijing.

The full article can be read at here.