Beijing Olympics Bans The Welsh Flag
Would you believe it? The Welsh Flag has been banned at the Beijing Olympics. Chinese authorities have imposed the crazy rule which means flags of any non-competing nation are likely to be confiscated from fans as they enter the various sporting venues. In an even crazier move, athletes could even be disqualified from competing if they break the rules.
If you’re wondering why the red dragon won’t be present in Beijing, it’s because Scotland, Wales, England and Northern Ireland are not individually represented at the games and only the Union Flag of Great Britain will be allowed inside the stadiums.
British 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.
Can you imagine how Welsh athletes such as cyclist Geraint Thomas and swimmers David Davies and Jemma Lowe are feeling? They’ve devoted many, many hours to their chosen sport and to be robbed of the chance to celebrate a potential Olympic medal by waving the flag of their country is quite unbelievable.
Maybe the time is right to send a Welsh team in the Olympic Games? Sure, the team would be small and medal prospects few and far between, but I doubt many countries could match the pride and passion Welsh athletes would demonstrate.
Thanks Beijing for the insult. Looks like the spirit of the Olympic movement has taken a turn for the worse….
Good luck Welsh athletes and may the roar of the Welsh Dragon inspire you to be your best!
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August 7th, 2008 at 3:39 pm
That’s not right - are you sure they banned it ?
August 7th, 2008 at 3:44 pm
Sew the flag into your uniform in a hidden location. Your home country will be with you in your heart. Anyway, this is just another reason why I won’t be watching the Olympics this year. I refuse to give the Chinese government that little bit of recognition.
August 7th, 2008 at 8:14 pm
It’s truly sad that the Chinese government feels threatened by displays of other nations’ national pride. Yet another act of repression motivated by the fear of others’ freedom of expression. I honestly have very mixed feelings about the Olympics this year.
August 8th, 2008 at 6:06 am
THe Olympics should never be in China!
August 8th, 2008 at 6:09 am
It’s pathetic from the Chinese, they are one seriously unhappy nation!
August 10th, 2008 at 5:01 am
[…] cymru66 « Beijing Olympics Bans The Welsh Flag […]
August 11th, 2008 at 3:09 am
That is just crazy, that they would do something like this!!!!!
August 14th, 2008 at 3:54 am
I have to second that Garden Shops, what a Nation!!!!
August 14th, 2008 at 3:56 am
With them making such a thing about the Walsh flag they should look at themselves first, heard on the news yesterday about the little girl who was to fat to sing and got someone else in her place.
August 16th, 2008 at 11:37 pm
The Red Dragon is banned in Beijing??!! Sut rydych yn dweud “irony” yn Gymraeg?
August 18th, 2008 at 10:38 am
[…] course, due to the crazy ruling by Chinese authorities, Tom risks disqualification for displaying the Welsh flag; Wales being a country not individually […]
September 2nd, 2008 at 8:13 am
This makes no sense at all and they’re just flexing their authoritative muscles. Ridiculous!
September 4th, 2008 at 10:39 pm
That is very sad - I wouldn’t have imagined that even Y Ddraig Goch would be banned in such an international event. Chinese authorities must have been very cautious of any acts Taiwanese independence supporters might have attempted during the games. I don’t see why they should make the same rule to other countries. That isn’t reasonable at all (To me it seems evil). Cymru is a country, just like Taiwan (ROC), what’s wrong with the Chinese? We were even not allowed to use the official name of our country - both ROC and Taiwan had been banned during the Olympics. We were forced to use “Chinese Taipei”, which is absurd. We’re sad that our new government didn’t do their best to defend the country’s sovereignty.
Good luck to you! Cymru am byth!