The Blues’ defender is one of three over-aged players in the Great Britain squad which will, at least for some of the time, be based in Manchester and play at Old Trafford during London 2012.
Richards, who was nominated for City’s Player of the Year award, missed out on the European Championships in Poland and Ukraine but is determined to ensure that the summer ends on a high note.
“I’m delighted to have been included and honoured to have the chance to represent Team GB at the London Olympics,” he said after the squad was officially announced.
“When I got the call from Stuart Pearce, who gave me my debut at Manchester City and has been a massive support throughout my career, I was over the moon. Hopefully we can win gold for the country.”
Fifteen of the 18-man squad must be under 23, with Ryan Giggs, former City player Craig Bellamy and Micah, the three overage players.
The men’s Team GB are drawn in Group A at London 2012 alongside Senegal, Uruguay and United Arab Emirates.
They begin their Olympic campaign against Senegal at Old Trafford on 26 July before facing the United Arab Emirates at Wembley on 29 July, and Uruguay at the Millennium Stadium on 1 August.
Squad: J Allen (Swansea), C Bellamy (Liverpool), R Bertrand (Chelsea), J Butland (Birmingham), S Caulker (Tottenham), T Cleverley (Manchester United), J Cork (Southampton), C Dawson (West Brom), R Giggs (Manchester United), A Ramsey (Arsenal), M Richards (Manchester City), D Rose (Tottenham), S Sinclair (Swansea), M Sordell (Bolton), J Steele (Middlesbrough), D Sturridge (Chelsea), N Taylor (Swansea), J Tomkins (West Ham)
