TEAM GB What about NI?

NAR

Not happy with Martin and the Forum. Banner at top of forum page has "Come on Team GB." :mad: It is Team GB & NI! Why they didn't name it Team UK is beyond me. I could understand it if we had no representatives on the team, but we do and gold medal winning ones too. So can we at least have the banner amended?

dmxdave

From the BBC

Why is it Team GB and not Team UK?

While there is jubilation across the UK at the success of Team GB, there are some who less than delighted over the nomenclature.

GB, short for Great Britain, does not traditionally include Northern Ireland. It led to calls for change in 2009 from the Northern Irish minister responsible for sport, Gregory Campbell. His successor said much the same thing.


During the current games, Northern Irish ex-Blue Peter presenter Zoe Salmon has suggested on Twitter that "Team GBNI" or "Team UK" would be more appropriate names.

The British Olympic Association has resisted the idea of changing the name. It simply states: "Team GB is the Great Britain and Northern Ireland Olympic Team."

And even a change to "Team UK" would not embrace places like Jersey and the Isle of Man that contribute members. Team GB, NI and Crown Dependencies might prove too much of a mouthful for most commentators.

lazer

I agree - its silly. Team UK would be just as easily recognised as Team GB.

Neither include the corwn dependencies, so unless you want a long complicated name - Team UK is at least more inclusive than team GB - and is no longer.

The correct response from NI - should be to refuse to enter, and instead enter under Team Ireland - which includes North and South.

saverbuyer

But, But Zoe Salmon says it should be Team UK....

At the end of the day, who really gives a toss.

Golden_Anemone

The argument I've heard in support of "Team GB" is that it's short, snappy and memorable and "of course people will know it includes NI". I noticed yesterday though that at the medal ceremony after the mens' tennis final they said that Andy Murray was competing for Great Britain. Correct of course in Murray's case as he is a Scot but surely this is where they should use the full title of Great Britain and Northern Ireland every time. If they did so then there would be less cause for complaint about the abbreviated form.

Did anyone see the medal ceremonies for any of the NI members of Team GB? Did they refer to them competing for Great Britain and Northern Ireland?

spadoosh

And theres wonder about political correctness gone mad!

Northern Ireland is clearly recognised as part of Team GB, northern irish participants are celebrated as much as welsh, scottish and english (aswell as the isles) cant we just accept it and share in the success of our athletes?!

NAR

On the BBC only the athletic commentators consistently call the team by the correct name ie Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

NAR

lazer wrote: »

The correct response from NI - should be to refuse to enter, and instead enter under Team Ireland - which includes North and South.

The Northern Ireland no hopers currently do turn out for Team Ireland.

saverbuyer

NAR wrote: »

The Northern Ireland no hopers currently do turn out for Team Ireland.

What do you mean?

NAR

How many medals have Northern Ireland competitors won for Team Ireland?

saverbuyer

NAR wrote: »

How many medals have Northern Ireland competitors won for Team Ireland?

I still don't get what you're trying to say.