Ed Jacobs rounds up the reaction from Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to the London 2012 Olympic Games which concluded yesterday.
As the curtain came down yesterday on 16 days of remarkable sporting achievement it stimulated a debate about the role a “British Team” has had to play in enabling English, Welsh, Northern Irish and Scottish athletes to fulfil their potential.
With the SNP’s Westminster spokesman on culture, media, Olympics and sport, Pete Wishart MP, using an article in the Spectator to make the case for an independent Scottish team in future Olympics, across the weekend’s press there was no such enthusiasm.
Arguing such an independent team could not hope to emulate the success of Team GB, Scotland on Sunday’s leader column argued:
“London 2012 has been a triumph, not least for Scottish athletes; but could Scotland enjoy an even higher profile at Rio 2016 by fielding its own national team?
“Without in any way pre-empting the result of the 2014 independence referendum, the only realistic answer is no. Even if Alex Salmond secured a landslide majority, independence negotiations could not conceivably be concluded by the time the Olympic torch arrives in Rio. Unpicking a Union that has lasted for more than three centuries would be a complex and time-consuming business.
“Furthermore, the Olympic rule book stipulates that a new nation’s application for membership of the organisation must take two years: South Sudan is currently excluded under that rule. By that criterion, even the 2020 Olympics could be a tight deadline for an independent Scotland.
“Even today, at the climax of this summer’s Olympic fever, common sense tells us Scots will not decide the destiny of their country on the basis of considerations relating to the Games. But an independent Scotland’s future Olympic prospects is one piece of the mosaic that illustrates the likely outcome of going it alone.
“In headline figures, Scotland’s claims look good, with 14 medals so far. Measured per head of population, Scotland’s performance has been better than England’s. The downside of the population ratio, however, is the problem of producing multiple champions within the same sport.
“Of Scotland’s 14 medals, only three were won by individuals: Andy Murray in the men’s singles tennis, Michael Jamieson in swimming and Chris Hoy in the keirin. All the rest were won by team participants.
• Did the opening ceremony undermine the SNP’s attempts to break up the UK? 30 Jul 2012
“If Scottish athletes left Team GB they would be sorely missed; but it would be less challenging for an English team to fill one vacancy than for a solitary Scot to create a local team of peers. Equestrian gold medalist Scott Brash, for example, would need to recruit three riders of similar calibre to himself.
“Even where a two-person team is involved, where is the world-class Scot who could partner Kath Grainger in rowing’s double sculls? Even Chris Hoy won one of his gold medals as part of a three-man cycling sprint team. The reality is that Scotland has been able to win more medals through participation in Team GB than it could hope to gain fielding its own team.”
Over at the Sunday Herald, meanwhile, columnist Iain MacWhirter observed that Scottish Olympians “aren’t exactly lining up to join Team Alex”.
He explained:
“There is scarcely a dry eye in the house as Sir Chris Hoy, laden with medals, says goodbye to the fans who have followed him so ecstatically through these games.
“After a final victory lap, wearing the Saltire of Scotland, a true national hero retires to take his place in the pantheon of sporting fame, while promising to dedicate himself to promoting Scottish cycling as patron of the Sir Chris Hoy velodrome in Glasgow. And here comes the first minister now, jogging alongside Sir Chris, weeping openly, as the crowd goes wild at these Commonwealth Games, which many are saying have ignited a new and positive sense of Scottish national identity, a new patriotism…
“Well, in your dreams, Alex Salmond. Such are the sentiments that Scottish National Party romantics hope to hear from the commentary box at the forthcoming Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. They want the ‘friendly games’ to deliver a sporting boost to Scottish nationalism in 2014, just as the London Olympics are being credited with giving birth in 2012 to a ‘new patriotism’ in Britain, as the New Statesman put it last week.
“The left-wing journal talked of ‘a soft and benign patriotism, quite different from the hard, defensive patriotism of the Eurosceptic right or any number of Little Englanders, or some Scottish nationalists’. Mo Farah, from Somalia, winning the 10,000 metres and wearing the Union flag, is the multicultural pin-up for the new Britain.
“And Scotland’s success in these games – an array of gold medals – is being hailed as proof that we are truly Better Together, and that being part of Britain brings out the best in us. This is the break that the No campaign had been praying for.
“Unable to puncture Salmond’s pawky, self-confident nationalism, and unable to shake off the negativism that has coloured the Unionist cause for so long, here was a positive case for keeping the UK united: confirmation at last that Great Britain remains a viable proposition. The London Games have provided an image of the UK that isn’t just about imperialism, English nationalism and public schoolboys signing Rule Britannia on the last night of the proms. It isn’t even white any more, you know.
“In The Spectator, London mayor Boris Johnson jeered:
“One of the many happy features of these wonderful Olympics is surely that they have retarded Alex Salmond in his campaign to end the Union.”
“And it has to be said that the first minister’s suggestion that London 2012 might be the last time that ‘Scolympians’ would compete with English and Welsh athletes looks rather petty-minded as the British team prepares to join in tonight’s closing ceremony. Scottish Olympians aren’t exactly lining up to join Team Alex. Sir Chris Hoy – who of course refuses to take sides in the referendum debate – insists that his success is down to his participation in ‘Team GB’.”
In similar sentiments, announcing plans to host a reception for Welsh athletes in Team GB, first minister Carwyn Jones echoed those thoughts, observing:
“Everyone in Wales can be truly proud of what our athletes have achieved as part of Team GB. Their determination and drive has been truly inspirational and made a huge contribution to Britain’s record medal haul.
“The UK can congratulate itself on what it has achieved at these Olympics, from the wonderful creative vision of Danny Boyle’s opening ceremony, through to the flawless sporting events themselves; these have been the greatest Games ever.
“Wales has played its part, from hosting the training camps of a number of nations ahead of Games, to welcoming the world to the Millennium Stadium for the 11 Olympic football matches. We have strong Welsh links to Team GB’s world beating cycling team, who held some of their pre-Games training at the Velodrome in Newport.”
And finally, at the Belfast Telegraph, it is the sense of togetherness that Team GB has brought to the province that has been a defining moment of the games.
In its editorial on Saturday, the paper wrote:
“As the London 2012 Olympics draw to a close, there is a general consensus that these have been among the best Games in recent times. There were stories of triumph and tragedy, and of great achievements against the odds. No wonder there was so much emotion on so many occasions.
“Team GB performed superbly, in what may prove to be the best collective performance in a century. The crowds were supportive, and added a special atmosphere to competitions that were already keenly contested.
“Northern Ireland had it own heroes including the rowers and boxers, and the goodwill crossed all borders. People were pleased at the achievements of Team GB and also of Team Ireland. We in Northern Ireland could claim the best of both worlds, because some of the Team Ireland medalists are based up here. The cheering will not end until after the closing ceremony, but there will be cherished memories of the London 2012 Olympics.
“However it is important to recognise other notable sporting achievements, including the Belfast Interface Games which held its flagship event last night. In the past weeks a number of cross-community sports camps have been held for young people between the ages of nine and 13.
“They have been organised by the Belfast Interface Project, which represents some 45 community organisations from unionist and nationalist areas, and also by the Peace Players International charity. In contests of ‘three halves’, children played soccer, gaelic football and rugby, learning much from each other – and about their sports in the process. This has been a truly inspiring initiative, and it is every bit as worthy of our cheers as the much-lauded achievements of the Olympic competitors.
“These local activities have shown the importance of investing in sport for our young people, as well as in health and education. London 2012 is moving into the past, and much good will be learned from them too, but the Belfast Interface Fames with local children will remain an important part of our future as well.”
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65 Responses to “Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland reaction: Team GB has brought the UK together”
Newsbot9
Of course you are. You’re a separatist trying to pry a major part of the country away. You’re not being honest about your goals.
The Isle of Man isn’t in the same situation as Scotland, and it doesn’t have the autonomy you’re trying to claim. Your claim is far closer to, oh, Ascension Island’s.
And because I don’t give two figs for separatism (I hold no part with “English Nationalism”, not being English by descent – I’m Jewish), and think you’re vastly overstating your credentials to give your cause a lustre which it simply does not deserver, especially when you’re going around demanding a blank cheque.
You’re Scottish just like someone’s from Wales or Cornwall, or Essex.
Mike
Soondra, I was, like most people I know, emotionally involved in the games and cheered every Team GB performance. So I’m very much in the feel good factor camp when it comes to the games but that has absolutely nothing to do with politics in general and the independence debate in particular.
I’m English by birth and Scottish by choice. I’ve lived in Scotland for over 40 years. In elections Scotland overwhelmingly votes for progressive social democratic parties and is, therefore, socially very different to England. I want to live in a society that values every individual, that takes care of the weak and disadvantaged, that ensures every child has an equal opportunity and has a national health service that provides the best healthcare for every member of the community. It doesn’t sound much like England does it?
Gerard
I didn’t say we need to put money into sport at the highest level. I said how do you expect people to get to the highest level without investment – that means investment in all levels of sport.
It is particularly important to invest in sport during a recession in my opinion. Being active brings positive health benefits, including mental health benefits. Increased energy levels, coupled with a more positive state of mind, can help people when looking for a job. It reduces the burden on the NHS while money is tight and, when targetted at youngsters, can lead to a reduction in crime. This is because younger people have less of a chance to get involved in crime and the practice of obeying the rules of a sport also lead to obeying rules in society in general.
Sport is a positive thing for any society and therefore government has to secure it’s positive influence via funding.
On your point regarding children going hungry and people being thrown out of their homes. There are many more areas which government investment could be reined in to tackle these issues – the idea that reducing the availability of exercise through sport will solve these problems is absurd.
slainte_mhath
Heh, I think you are confused. How can I be “trying to pry a major part of the country away”.
What country?
The UK is not a country but a sovereign state formed and still held together by an international Treaty of Union between the countries of Scotland and England.
This Treaty of Union is only valid as long as both countries (signatories) want it to continue.
The Scottish people have shown in May 2011 by giving a mandate to the SNP to hold a referendum that there is the will within Scotland to leave the union and this will be confirmed in Autumn 2014.
What does your religion have to do with what country you are from?
There are plenty of Jewish, Catholic, Muslim, Protestant etc in Scotland but that does not have a bearing on whether Scotland obtains political indepndence. If those people resident in Scotland vote for their country to be independent then Scotland will become independent.
I asked the question regarding the Isle of Man to try and fathom the beliefs of John Ruddy and understand if for people like him his sole aim is to continue the Union “at all costs” even if it meant the Union is rendered dysfunctional, unstable and perforoming porly for all within it . The archiac, outdated and redundant poltical union which has lost the moral authority and mandate of the people of Scotland where trust in the UK Government now stands at only 18% versus trust in the Scottish Government of 71%.
Scotland is already past the point of no return for westminster but it appears that arch-unionists and British Nationalists like yourself would rather Scotland continue within an incorporating union even if it is against the will of the Scottish people.
You say “especially when you’re going around demanding a blank cheque.”
Now are becoming increasingly demented. I want my country to be independent so why would I be “demanding a blank cheque” and from who?
You say “You’re Scottish just like someone’s from Wales or Cornwall, or Essex.”
I take it geography and history is not your strong point?
Scotland only became part of the United Kingdom of Great
Britain following the enactment of Treaty of Union with England Act of
1707 which went through the Scottish Parliament under Scots Law.
Scotland still retained powers outwith the Treaty of Union i.e religion,
education and a Scots Law which is a seperate sovereign legal system.
Scotland having “a history of independence or self-rule in an
identifiable territory, a distinct culture, and a will and capability to
regain self-governance” has the right to self-determination as per the UN Charter no matter what seld important nonsense Westminster tries to spout.
The Scottish Parliament will hold a referendum on poltical independence (which will be performed under international scrutiny) after the Scottish Government gained the
mandate of the Scottish people in the 2011 election.
Newsbot9
Yes, you keep trying to redefine my county away pre-emptively. Moreover, you keep on insisting that every historical divide matters…I don’t see Wessex seperatists. Again, you simply can’t be honest about this.
“What does your religion have to do with what country you are from?”
I’m not of “English” descent, my country is *Britain*.
“Scotland is already past the point of no return”
Ah, you’re another one of the predeterminists then. That you can have a vote doesn’t mean that you have the right to rig it!