Olympics, Why Have Great Britain Suddenly Become Great Britain And Northern Ireland?

[ToraToraTora]

Ok I know it's technically correct but in every other olympics we've been known as "Great Britain", why now the change? ....and if we are being semantic it should be "The United Kingdom of great Britain and Northern Ireland"

[Modster]

gulliver - stay on topic & stop stirring.  TTT - stop being rude.  No more warnings.  

[Modster]

That's not helping, Gromit.

[Modster]

Douglas - none of the removed answers added anything of value to the thread.  Much like your post.  

11. Any posts asking or discussing why a post or thread was removed or closed, or why a member was banned or suspended, will be removed. 

If any users want to enjoy the rest of the day away from AB, carry on derailing a perfectly valid thread.  Stay on topic & answers will remain.

[douglas9401]

Looking forward to the announcement of new sports for the next olympiad.

 

[Old_Geezer]

It was always that, but previously no one could be arsed to state the whole title. About time they did. Probably been miffing the NI folk all this time.

[douglas9401]

A miffed Nornirner is a sight to behold.

[New Judge]

It stems principally from the ridiculous notion that the United Kingdom consists of four separate entites. It does not. They are all part of the same sovereign state. Unfortunately the notion gained further credibility when the ridiculous devolution arrangments instigated by the Blair government were introduced..

To compete (in any sport) for the United Kingdom the competitor should be a citizen of the United Kingdom and any team should compete under that name. Yes, that would rule out the Bailiwick of Jersey and the Isle of Man, but they can't have it both ways.

Other countries (e.g. Ireland) can do what they like.

[Hymie]

Great Britain is made up of England, Scotland and Wales – the UK is made up of Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) and Northern Ireland; it’s as simple as that.

 

So when someone says ‘Great Britain’, that by definition excludes Northern Ireland.

[davebro3]

I think abbreviations are OK (Okay?) - Americans compete as USA ? So it should just be UK I think.

(I have watched hardly any of the Olympics & don't understand why it is hugely significant if you run 2 hundredths of a second faster than someone else on a particular day.)