I got a reply from Team GB – the UK Olympics organisation – saying that since 1996 only athletes from sovereign states, such as Jamaica, can compete under their own names so athletes from Gibraltar, the Falkland Islands and so on would have to compete under our name. So changing the name from Team GB to Team UK would not solve the problem. The spokesman – Lauren Sanderson – did not explain how they got the name of the country wrong in the first place. It is the UK which is the internationally recognised sovereign state.
The reason I make a fuss about this is that the difference between the UK and GB is Northern Ireland. GB suggests to foreigners that we have given up Northern Ireland to the Republic. Which we haven’t.
I have invited Team GB to say what they felt gave them the right to drop this diplomatic bombshell.
The reason I make a fuss about this is that the difference between the UK and GB is Northern Ireland. GB suggests to foreigners that we have given up Northern Ireland to the Republic. Which we haven’t.
I have invited Team GB to say what they felt gave them the right to drop this diplomatic bombshell.
No comments:
Post a Comment