Flag-waving scenes like this will be banned in China
Posted on 08/06/2008 3:26:57 PM PDT by Stoat
Because Scotland, Wales, England and Northern Ireland are not individually represented at the games, only the Union Flag of Great Britain will be allowed inside the stadiums.
The regulation is widely believed to be aimed at preventing supporters of an independent Tibet from making political statements by waving its flag, but it will be enforced across the board.
Fans of British tennis star Andy Murray, who often wave Saltires from the stands, and cyclist Geraint Thomas, who is Welsh, are among those who will be affected.
Mr Thomas said: "It would be great to do a lap of honour draped in the Welsh flag if I win a gold medal, and I'm very disappointed if this rule means that would not be possible."
MPs have urged Gordon Brown to demand the Chinese scrap the ruling, which they say is a further example of China's human rights abuses.
Hugh Robertson, the shadow sports minister, said: "The right to wave your national flag has always been a central part of the spectator experience at every Olympic games. To see it banned now for internal political reasons contradicts an essential part of the Olympic experience and freedom of expression."
(Excerpt) Read more at telegraph.co.uk ...
Also:
Banning the Dragon is an affront to freedom - WalesOnline
Flag-waving scenes like this will be banned in China
Welsh flag banned from the Olympics - Daily Post North Wales
No chance of Red Dragon flying at Olympics - WalesOnline
Scots cross over Olympic Saltire ban - Scotsman.com News
BBC NEWS Scotland Tayside and Central Anger over Beijing Saltire 'ban'
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UK flags banned at the Olympics The Sun News
Ruled out ... supporter
If it’s not Scottish, it’s crap!
I'm shocked!
I'm shocked!
They certainly aren't showcasing a 'new, open China' are they?
who cares...none of the flags will be visible through the smog.
I doubt anyone really, seriously believed they would be “open” for the Olympics. Oh well, this is one Olympics I’m not going to watch (besides, I’ve never been into the summer Olympics, anyway).
Alabama State Flag Not Allowed.
Gee, what a surprise. I'm sure Rogge is shocked.
However, our politicians, especially our President should simply refuse to attend the Olympics. The President should not only skip the opening ceremony, but the entire games, and we should have no political envoy to the Olympic games.
If individual Americans want to attend the games that is their choice. However, our government needs to make a clear statement that China's thuggish tactics are unacceptable.
Black power salutes welcome as statements against oppressive U.S. racist laws and in support of the Stalinist Rat Party (formerly the traditional, patriotic Democratic Party).
Mr Thomas said: "It would be great to do a lap of honour draped in the Welsh flag if I win a gold medal, and I'm very disappointed if this rule means that would not be possible."
OK, buy Chinese flags and burn them.
I’ve got no sympathy. They were selected to represent the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, not any of it’s constituent nations. They can save it for the Commonwealth games.
It’s like an American athelete who is supposed to be representing his country wrapping himself in his state’s flag rather than the stars and stripes....
How was it China was picked for the Olympics anyway?
All I know is that we’d better damn well not dip our flag during the Opening Ceremonies.
Actually Carlos and Smith were banned from the games by the IOC and sent home. One of them was on the 4x100 relay and was dropped.
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