zakatan
Joined: May 17, 2008
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 Posted:
Jul 30, 2012 - 17:15 |
 
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This question might be stupid but why does the United Kingdom compete under the name of Great Britain in the Olympic Games?
If I understood correctly, Northern Irish and some overseas territories are included under the GB banner, which doesn't make much sense to me. |
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Purplegoo
Joined: Mar 23, 2006
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Jul 30, 2012 - 19:48 |
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I suppose it's probably mainly history and tradition that GB competes as GB. Perhaps back in the day there was a number of countries limitation, or it's an Empire thing... I live in England, consider myself English, but my passport says 'British'. Go figure, I suppose. Perhaps someone that knows more history than me can give you a proper answer.
We compete as individual nations in the Commonwealths. |
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spubbbba
Joined: Jul 31, 2006
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Jul 30, 2012 - 20:04 |
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This Video is pretty informative about things but does state that GB is just the mainland. |
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Purplegoo
Joined: Mar 23, 2006
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Jul 30, 2012 - 20:17 |
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Ahh - I'd assumed the question was why compete as GB, not England / UK, etc.
Perhaps you're right and it was a what's the difference question.  |
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zakatan
Joined: May 17, 2008
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Jul 30, 2012 - 21:16 |
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I watched the video a while ago. That's why I asked.
Great Britain is the main island, but under the name of GB we have competing not only England, Wales and Scotland, but also Northern Irland and some (but not all) of the overseas territories.
So there are territories represented that don't fall under the Great Britain territorial naming. I'd be pissed if I were Northern Irish  |
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harvestmouse
Joined: May 13, 2007
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Jul 30, 2012 - 21:46 |
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Britain, is the mainland. Great Britain is the mainland and the surrounding islands (such as isle of man, Jersey and Guernsey). In the past you would see sporting teams labeled as Great Britain and Northern Island. I believe however, there is a political problem with this now (however I maybe wrong). |
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gjopie
Joined: Oct 27, 2009
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Jul 30, 2012 - 22:12 |
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I think it might be because Northern Irish participants can choose to represent either GB or Ireland, depending on their preferences.
Also, United Kingdom isn't as easily given a three letter abbreviation.  |
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jamesfarrell129
Joined: Dec 23, 2009
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Jul 31, 2012 - 11:52 |
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We actually compete as Great Britain and Northern Ireland - its just that GB&NI doesn't have quite the same ring to it as GB.
Quite why they go with that, rather than UK, is another question entirely (not one I can answer) |
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ClayInfinity
Joined: Aug 15, 2003
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Jul 31, 2012 - 12:39 |
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Why not compete seperately? You do in everything else including soccer world cups and Commonwealth Games.
Just seems pointless considering you dont have a GB National Anthem (and the Welsh and Scots are quite right not to sing it). |
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gjopie
Joined: Oct 27, 2009
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Jul 31, 2012 - 13:15 |
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The only reason we compete separately in soccer is because we invented the professional game, and we ensured that we would always be allowed to compete as separate nations. Similar thing with the Commonwealth Games - basically, we can do what we want.
Technically though, we aren't individual countries - we act in the UN as the UK, etc. - so for competitions which we aren't in charge of, we have to compete as a whole country rather than as four regions. |
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semmike
Joined: Aug 07, 2012
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Aug 08, 2012 - 20:24 |
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