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The D.U.P Want To Rename Team GB Before Siding With Tories

The D.U.P Want To Rename Team GB Before Siding With Tories

The 2020 Olympics could sound a little different.

Michael Minay

Michael Minay

Thursday's General Election produced quite the shock. The Conservatives, who six weeks ago launched the vote on the premise of gaining a big majority, were suddenly left with having to form a coalition.

The Tories won 318 seats, some eight short of the number needed to form an overall majority.

Labour's success at the polls has now left Theresa May needing to find a party to join up and support her as Britain heads for Brexit - a key part of the election debate. The party most likely to do this is the Democratic Unionist Party of Northern Ireland.

Credit: PA

However, before they agree to be the 'king makers' the DUP will lay out some negotiating terms to the Conservatives. One of these will be name of Team GB - the name given to our athletes in major competitions (Olympics and Paralympics etc).

The DUP want it to be changed from 'Team GB' to 'Team UK' - in an effort to make sure Northern Ireland is recognised.

The party unsuccessfully lobbied for the name change ahead of the 2012 Olympics - basing their argument that the current title does not reflect the areas of the UK which lie outside Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales).

Credit: PA

What do the DUP stand for?

  • Brexit - unlike the Tories they want a 'soft' Brexit.
  • Pensions - 'Triple lock' to be maintained.
  • National Security - to be improved.
  • Same-sex marriage - they've have had politicians call LBGT people as an 'abomination'.
  • Abortion - they oppose the idea of abortion.
  • Climate Change - they made no reference to this, but just what is 'sustainable' for Northern Ireland.
  • Devolution - they approve of this.

Team GB does not take into account the full name of 'Team Great Britain and Northern Ireland'. The British Olympic Association have previously admitted, albeit in 2011, that Team GB, or 'Team UK' for that matter, were not accurate titles.

Such places as the Isle Of Man, Jersey and other overseas territories are not recognised in the overarching title.

In their manifesto, the DUP called for: "Recognition of Northern Ireland sporting bodies, the Olympic team should be referred to as Team UK and the freedom for athletes to choose their national team."

Credit: PA

Credit: PA

Northern Ireland, as a nation, failed to win any medals at the Rio Olympics in 2016, a disappointment compared to the four they won during London 2012.

Having said that, their Euro 2016 team reached the knockout stage, the same as England, before losing 1-0 to Wales.

Credit: PA

The DUP are expected to press Theresa May on the matter, as well as have knowledge that the government will have Northern Ireland secure "major sporting events."

In 2021, the centenary of the country, the DUP want it recognised with major matches - the new government likely to oversee this with the next election expected in 2022.

If they get the approval on this, then expect the 2020 Olympics, to be held in Tokyo, to look a little different.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: Team GB, general election