[L i b]

(Original post by The Edwinnator)
The Nations already compete separately in football, why not in the olympics?

Because there is a historical reason for competing separately in football - the Olympic suggestion is just narrow-minded separatist nonsense.

[L i b]

(Original post by SillyFencer)
Impossible.

I doubt it's entirely impossible, but I can't see the IOC allowing it that's for sure. What next? Team London with Boris Johnson proudly flying the flag?

[River85]

Someone asked William G Stewart this on 15-1 a few years back.

I can't remember his answer. Shame, it would be really useful now.

[superfical space cadet]

Definately should be separate I am Welsh not British ffs

[L i b]

(Original post by superfical space cadet)
Definately should be separate I am Welsh not British ffs

No, you're just an idiot.

[NDGAARONDI]

(Original post by The Edwinnator)
The Nations already compete separately in football, why not in the olympics?

Football is different because each nation have their own FA, who, each in turn, have voting rights over policy with FIFA. There's always the Commonwealth for you. By the way, I prefer regionalism anyway. City/county regionalism - London and Berkshire FTW!

[The Edwinnator]

(Original post by L i b)
the Olympic suggestion is just narrow-minded separatist nonsense.

Oh let's rephrase that, have some sensitivity for those who live beyond the borders of England!

[587]

(Original post by superfical space cadet)
Definately should be separate I am Welsh not British ffs

You seem to be confused. The fact that you are welsh means you are British. Britain is also a description of our Island. It's like saying "I'm French not European" or "I'm Chinese not Asian".

[gm15]

(Original post by The Edwinnator)
The Nations already compete separately in football, why not in the olympics?

Because you only need 11 people for football. Can you honestly see each "home nation" being able to each muster enough olympic grade people in each sport to each have a decent team and chance?

[NDGAARONDI]

(Original post by superfical space cadet)
Definately should be separate I am Welsh not British ffs

I'm not 'English' then. I'm a Londoner. Where's my London passport?

[River85]

(Original post by The Edwinnator)
Oh let's rephrase that, have some sensitivity for those who live beyond the borders of England!

What, like Lib himself?

Anyway, I'm sure the reason why it's team GB and not UK is for more than just reasons of shortness (or the IOC just not being very good at geography). There is some official (historical) reason behind it.

What are peoples feelings about a GB football team for 2012?

[SillyFencer]

(Original post by L i b)
I doubt it's entirely impossible, but I can't see the IOC allowing it that's for sure. What next? Team London with Boris Johnson proudly flying the flag?

Well it is really. What would the criteria be on which country they played for? Whatever they decide on, you end up with one of two situations; either people practically get to choose who they play for, or some athletes get excluded from all sides.

What about a team currently made up of a mixture? Do you start splitting those up and force them to make new ones based on their country?

[The Edwinnator]

(Original post by gm15)
Because you only need 11 people for football. Can you honestly see each "home nation" being able to each muster enough olympic grade people in each sport to each have a decent team and chance?

Hmm. Cue the part about loads of nations sending smaller teams? You know the countries where all those ghastly black/brown/yellow foreigners live? And I believe they do quite well too?

[Cool Cat]

(Original post by Roobagnall)
it ****ing well shouldnt be!

I'd choose the British team if I was an athlete

[The Edwinnator]

(Original post by River85)
What are peoples feelings about a GB football team for 2012?

Oh they're so going to bicker over the quota per nation...

(Note: Nation as in England, Wales, Scotland etc)

Oh wait, by that time Mr. Salmond will have won his referendum on independence, meaning that team GB will become team UK of England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

[L i b]

(Original post by River85)
Anyway, I'm sure the reason why it's team GB and not UK is for more than just reasons of shortness (or the IOC just not being very good at geography). There is some official (historical) reason behind it.

Well, this stuff about Northern Ireland must be off - after all, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland did not exist at the time we first fielded Team GB at the Olympics.

What are peoples feelings about a GB football team for 2012?

I'm actually quite looking forward to it. Should never have been done away with (in 1972, I believe); all just ridiculous red-tape.

[L i b]

(Original post by The Edwinnator)
Oh wait, by that time Mr. Salmond will have won his referendum on independence, meaning that team GB will become team UK of England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

You think?

What a very fertile imagination you have.

[The Edwinnator]

(Original post by L i b)
You think?

What a very fertile imagination you have.

You're in denial!

[Drewski]

(Original post by The Edwinnator)
Hmm. Cue the part about loads of nations sending smaller teams? You know the countries where all those ghastly black/brown/yellow foreigners live? And I believe they do quite well too?

Define 'quite well'.

If you mean "ooh, look, they managed to afford plane tickets here and everything!" then yeah, you're quite right. Somehow, I don't see the vast sport superpower that is Vanuatu threatening China's position at the top of the medal's table, do you?

[Drewski]

(Original post by The Edwinnator)
Oh they're so going to bicker over the quota per nation...

(Note: Nation as in England, Wales, Scotland etc)

Oh wait, by that time Mr. Salmond will have won his referendum on independence, meaning that team GB will become team UK of England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Yeah, and then Scotland will have gone bankrupt in about 20seconds and gone back to Westminster begging to be 're-allowed' into the Union.