Flag ban at the Olympics...

[MW]

Ok bit of a parochial angle but nice to see Amnesty supporting the NI flag

FFS though - all to keep the Chinese government sweet with regards to Tibet. Imgaine in Cathy Freeman was still around and won gold - what's that, you want to carry an Aboriginal flag as well as an Australian flag? Certainly not...

Northern Ireland flag 'banned at Olympics'

Strict rules banning the display of certain symbols at the Beijing Olympics will mean Northern Ireland supporters will not be able to wave their national flag at the events, it was claimed today.

A code of conduct for spectators laid down by Organising Committee outlaws flags other than those of Olympic members.

Amnesty International claims the measure has been introduced to ensure no flags of Chinese-governed Tibet are displayed by independence campaigners. However, the human rights group said it will have consequences for other national flags as well.

The Repubilc and United Kingdom are represented by the Tricolour and the Union flag, respectively, but Northern Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales are not members in their own right.

Patrick Corrigan, Amnesty International programme director for Northern Ireland, said: "To many sports fans from here travelling to Beijing it will seem absurd that neither they nor our athletes can show the Northern Ireland or Ulster flags at the Olympics.

"But for people in China the repression of free speech is much more serious - saying the wrong thing can land you in prison and many journalists and activists have been arrested."

"Local athletes taking medals at the Beijing Olympics should be able to do a victory lap with a Northern Ireland or Ulster flag if they wish," he added.

The Organising Committee guidelines states that spectators should not bring the following to any events: "Flags of non-members of the Olympics or Paralympics; flags or banners larger than 2m x 1m; flagpoles; any banners, slogans, fliers, brochures or samples."

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaki.../breaking18.htm



Anger over Beijing Saltire 'ban'
Lee McConnell with a Saltire
Lee McConnell will be part of Team GB in Beijing

An MSP has warned Scots travelling to Beijing for the Olympics that they may not be able to wave the Saltire in support of Scottish athletes.

Jamie Hepburn, the SNP MSP for Central Scotland, said "house rules" published by the Olympic Committee appeared to ban flags from non-member countries.

Mr Hepburn said that as Scots athletes were competing as part of Team GB, only Union Jack flags would be allowed.

He has urged organisers of the games to clarify the rules.

The official website for the games states that "to avoid delays at security and to maintain an orderly flow, please DO NOT bring the following articles to any venue:... flags of non-members of the Olympics or Paralympics; flags or banners larger than 2m x 1m; flagpoles; any banners, slogans, fliers, brochures or samples".

'National pride'

Mr Hepburn, who is convenor of the Scottish Parliament cross-party group on human rights, said the rule was aimed at preventing supporters from waving the Tibetan flag.

He said that people who had travelled from England, Wales and Northern Ireland would also be prevented from waving their national flags.

He added: "Athletes from across Scotland and the rest of the UK will be taking part in the Beijing Olympics, and fans should be allowed to show their support by waving the national flag of their choice.

"With participants like Andy Murray often wearing Saltires on their kit as a symbol of national pride it will be a shame if fans are not able to echo that by waving Saltires from the stands.

"I will be writing to the British Olympic Association and the International Olympic Committee and urging them to challenge this ruling."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/taysid...ral/7541642.stm

[Main Street]

Mr Hepburn, who is convenor of the Scottish Parliament cross-party group on human rights, said the rule was aimed at preventing supporters from waving the Tibetan flag.

He said that people who had travelled from England, Wales and Northern Ireland would also be prevented from waving their national flags.

Why would Northern Ireland visitors be prevented from waving the UJ?
The loyalist banner is not the national flag.

Looks like this flag will do just nicely for all the athletes who compete for Ireland.

Imgaine in Cathy Freeman was still around and won gold - what's that, you want to carry an Aboriginal flag as well as an Australian flag? Certainly not...

read the article
medal winning Athletes can fly /drape whatever they want (not tibetan) on a lap of honour.

[his holiness nb]

I dont see the problem here, they are either representing the Republic of Ireland or Britain, not Northern Ireland.

[Arthur]

I dont see the problem here, they are either representing the Republic of Ireland or Britain, not Northern Ireland.

The team is GB and NI - Northern Ireland isn't in Britain, it's in the UK - but don't let facts stand in your way.

[his holiness nb]

I dont see the problem here, they are either representing the Republic of Ireland or Britain, not Northern Ireland.

The team is GB and NI - Northern Ireland isn't in Britain, it's in the UK - but don't let facts stand in your way.

Well pardon me mr pissy cacks. I though the team was called great britain. Shows how much I know / care about the olympics 

[Arthur]

I dont see the problem here, they are either representing the Republic of Ireland or Britain, not Northern Ireland.

The team is GB and NI - Northern Ireland isn't in Britain, it's in the UK - but don't let facts stand in your way.

Well pardon me mr pissy cacks. I though the team was called great britain. Shows how much I know / care about the olympics 

So i get slagged for pointing out a simple fact, good lad.

[AZOffaly]

Actually, the team is called Great Britain on the official site. GBR is the acronym. So ye are both right.

[Gaoth Dobhair Abu]

I dont see the problem here, they are either representing the Republic of Ireland or Britain, not Northern Ireland.

The team is GB and NI - Northern Ireland isn't in Britain, it's in the UK - but don't let facts stand in your way.

Well pardon me mr pissy cacks. I though the team was called great britain. Shows how much I know / care about the olympics 

So i get slagged for pointing out a simple fact, good lad.

Very funny though.... 

[nifan]

Dont see a problem with restricting the flags to those that represent the entities taking part particularly, thought the reasons for doing so are a bit concerning.

[his holiness nb]

So i get slagged for pointing out a simple fact, good lad.

You'll soon learn this happens all the time young Arthur, just relax and enjoy the ride  

[his holiness nb]

Dont see a problem with restricting the flags to those that represent the entities taking part particularly, thought the reasons for doing so are a bit concerning.

100% agree, safe to say they werent thinking of northern Ireland flags when they made that decision. They'll probably have my avatar banned from this thread too!

[magpie seanie]

Who the f**k thought it was a good idea to have the Olympics in China? A f**king joke.

[nifan]

McDonalds where quite keen I hear.

[altovito]

whoevr doesnt lake it thn dnt f**king go.stay the f**k at hme

[MW]

I dont see the problem here, they are either representing the Republic of Ireland or Britain, not Northern Ireland.

Well in that sense, indeed the athletes in question won't be representing Northern Ireland or Ulster (or England, Scotland or Wales).

Though the family of the likes of Cathy Freeman or Colin Jackson have in past Championships/Games liked to go 'bi-flag-ual' (yes I made that word up), Australian and Aboriginal in Freeman's case; British and Welsh in Jackson's. (Taking on board Main Street's point that the athletes themselves aren't actually subject to a ban - though they tend to get their flags from the crowd of course).

The main point is that Beijing seems to have forced this rule through just to make sure no-one turns up with a Tibet flag and upsets their applecart.