WHEN it comes to nomenclature, even the News Letter Morning View (August 13) may have got it wrong: ‘GB/NI sports prepare for Rio Games’.
Are we too sensitive in Northern Ireland when it comes to our sporting status within the British state?
There were no official memorabilia or posters that displayed NI in logo form.
It was not shown on the vests sported by the British Olympians.
Even the Prime Minister, Mr Cameron, managed his take on the spectacular events of the London Olympic Games when he said: …”The lessons of these past weeks is that Britain (sic) can and should be ambitious…”, although he went on to use the official ‘Team GB’ term.
Mr Cameron nevertheless personally missed a golden opportunity in a photo-call outside Number 10, when he did not hug Mo Farah, adding this to his résumé of publicity stunts.
He probably reasoned that a Mr Johnston had first call! Does Mr Cameron know something that the rest of us in the UK do not?
If the First Minister of Scotland, Alex Salmond, achieves his goal and the Scottish people elect to leave the UK by referendum in less than two years’ time, then a name change will be inevitable for the British state entering the Rio Games in four years’ time.
Is it as likely as tossing the ‘haggis’ becoming a new Olympic sport that Mr Salmond and the Scots would not wish to demonstrate Scotland’s independence and enter the Rio Games under the saltire of Saint Andrew, relishing in the fact that they have taken the ‘Great’ (G) with them?
When it comes to winning gold, the Isle of Man can claim higher status in this respect than Northern Ireland. What name will be emblazoned on the vests of our athletes in Rio de Janeiro?
Team Britain, Team Isle of Man & NI?
If golf is to become a new added sport to the Games, then Northern Ireland would undoubtedly have something and somebody to roar about, with the News Letter front page leading the way.
Congratulations to all involved (including the tax payer).
M W Woods
Bangor
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