Former Hibs players Kim Little and Caroline Weir in Team GB Olympic squad

[He's here!]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/57139366

Anyone with an interest in the Hibs Ladies team will remember Kim and Caroline as fantastic young players for the Hibs Ladies team. Both have won stack loads of Scotland caps and Kim already has several Team GB caps to her name from London 2012.

The pair are the only Scots in the women's Olympic squad so it's a big achievement. Congratulations to them both.

I'm assuming there's no men's event this year because of the rescheduled Euros?

[blackpoolhibs]

I'm not convinced the Olympics will go ahead this year.

[He's here!]

I'm not convinced the Olympics will go ahead this year.

You might be right. Pretty sure the citizens of Tokyo remain dead against it in the current climate.

Be a real shame for the competitors who've dedicated themselves to what for many would be a once in a lifetime experience.

[marinello59]

Well done to them both. What an experience that will be for them if the games go ahead.

[Nakedmanoncrack]

England manager, England squad, plus token 3 others. No interest in a British team, but theres no doubt its an achievement for these two.

[The Harp Awakes]

England manager, England squad, plus token 3 others. No interest in a British team, but theres no doubt its an achievement for these two.

Me neither.

Hopefully Scotland will compete in the Olympics one day.

[Just_Jimmy]

team GB my arse. England -3.

Sent from my Pixel 3a using Tapatalk

[CloudSquall]

Will save a very special "****ing booooooo" just for them as my pettiness reaches all new heights with my "Anyone but Team GB" mentality for the games.

[CLASS OF 72 -73]

England manager, England squad, plus token 3 others. No interest in a British team, but theres no doubt its an achievement for these two.

You mean Norwegian Coach England squad

[He's here!]

England manager, England squad, plus token 3 others. No interest in a British team, but theres no doubt its an achievement for these two.

The manager is Norwegian and the Scottish and Welsh girls are there on merit. As somebody who enjoys watching the women's game (lacks the tribalism of the men's game and has been brilliant for promoting the game among girls) I can tell you the reason the squad is mostly made up of English players is simply because the game there is far better funded and the quality of player thus significantly higher.

[Crunchie]

I'm not convinced the Olympics will go ahead this year.
I think it's ludicrous to even think about letting it go ahead, but I think you're right I don't think so either.

[He's here!]

Me neither.

Hopefully Scotland will compete in the Olympics one day.

It's sport not politics.

I love the Olympics and am old enough to remember cheering David Wilkie and Allan Wells to gold medals along with the countless other Scots who have excelled at that level (Chris Hoy and Andy Murray's more recent achievements were wonderful). However, I've also cheered on endless English, Welsh and Northern Ireland competitors too and have regarded it as nothing more than a pure pleasure to see legends like Ovett, Coe, Cram, Thompson, Radcliffe, Christie, Redgrave, Holmes, Farah etc at the peak of their careers. Not being able to support British competitors because they're English seems extraordinarily narrow minded to me.

[AltheHibby]

As someone with Scottish, English and Welsh blood in my close family it looks a good team for me to support.

Geekish observation:

The UK is "GB & NI". With no NI players it really is Team GB.

Sorry, but calling a UK team "GB" sets off my pedant alarm (along with many other things because I'm a grumpy old git).

[AltheHibby]

It's sport not politics.

I love the Olympics and am old enough to remember cheering David Wilkie and Allan Wells to gold medals along with the countless other Scots who have excelled at that level (Chris Hoy and Andy Murray's more recent achievements were wonderful). However, I've also cheered on endless English, Welsh and Northern Ireland competitors too and have regarded it as nothing more than a pure pleasure to see legends like Ovett, Coe, Cram, Thompson, Radcliffe, Christie, Redgrave, Holmes, Farah etc at the peak of their careers. Not being able to support British competitors because they're English seems extraordinarily narrow minded to me.

That's just what I would say if I was eloquent! 😀

[Crunchie]

It's sport not politics.

I love the Olympics and am old enough to remember cheering David Wilkie and Allan Wells to gold medals along with the countless other Scots who have excelled at that level (Chris Hoy and Andy Murray's more recent achievements were wonderful). However, I've also cheered on endless English, Welsh and Northern Ireland competitors too and have regarded it as nothing more than a pure pleasure to see legends like Ovett, Coe, Cram, Thompson, Radcliffe, Christie, Redgrave, Holmes, Farah etc at the peak of their careers. Not being able to support British competitors because they're English seems extraordinarily narrow minded to me.

:top marks Ovett was my hero.

I'd have to say my abiding memory to this day of the Olympics was Mary Peters winning gold in 1972, I have no idea why but I remember my mum and sisters all crying, I had to run out the room in case I started lol.

[Since90+2]

Surprised Erin Cuthbert never made the squad.

[Pretty Boy]

As someone with Scottish, English and Welsh blood in my close family it looks a good team for me to support.

Geekish observation:

The UK is "GB & NI". With no NI players it really is Team GB.

Sorry, but calling a UK team "GB" sets off my pedant alarm (along with many other things because I'm a grumpy old git).

The official name is the Great Britain and Northern Ireland Olympic Team. TeamGB is just an advertising/branding exercise.

If we want to be really pedantic the team should probably be called the Great Britain, Northern Ireland, Crown Dependencies and British Overseas Territories not represented by their own Olympic Committee Olympic Team.

I can see why they felt something a bit snappier worked better althout TeamUK or similar would have seemed more all encompassing.

[AltheHibby]

The official name is the Great Britain and Northern Ireland Olympic Team. TeamGB is just an advertising/branding exercise.

If we want to be really pedantic the team should probably be called the Great Britain, Northern Ireland, Crown Dependencies and British Overseas Territories not represented by their own Olympic Committee Olympic Team.

I can see why they felt something a bit snappier worked better althout TeamUK or similar would have seemed more all encompassing.

Great reply. I never thought of it that way. I agree that "Team GB" is snappier. I'm just a pedantic sod and took an excuse to moan!

[easty]

I don’t think there’s anything wrong with the team being almost entirely made up of England players, it should be the best team that’s picked. There shouldn’t be token Scotland players in just to make things look good.

I’ll never support a united GB football team though. Unless that teams made up of 11 Scottish players. I’m already conflicted enough supporting rejected English players in a Scotland top.

[Brightside]

I don’t think there’s anything wrong with the team being almost entirely made up of England players, it should be the best team that’s picked. There shouldn’t be token Scotland players in just to make things look good.

I’ll never support a united GB football team though. Unless that teams made up of 11 Scottish players. I’m already conflicted enough supporting rejected English players in a Scotland top.
I’d have had Cuthbert in before Little tbh. But agree pretty much on most of the others.

[JimBHibees]

I’d have had Cuthbert in before Little tbh. But agree pretty much on most of the others.

Surprised Cuhbert wasn't in to be honest.

[Billy Whizz]

Do players/athletes get paid to play in the olympics now

[calumhibee1]

The manager is Norwegian and the Scottish and Welsh girls are there on merit. As somebody who enjoys watching the women's game (lacks the tribalism of the men's game and has been brilliant for promoting the game among girls) I can tell you the reason the squad is mostly made up of English players is simply because the game there is far better funded and the quality of player thus significantly higher.

:agree:

England has what, 10 times our population? And much better funding for women’s football I’d imagine. If anything I’d say Scotland have done alright proportionately.

[Pretty Boy]

Do players/athletes get paid to play in the olympics now

No. Some countries pay a medal dividend or similar but the UK doesn't.

Most of their income comes from UK Sport grants and the like which varies depending on the sport and individual performance and potential.

[marinello59]

It's sport not politics.

I love the Olympics and am old enough to remember cheering David Wilkie and Allan Wells to gold medals along with the countless other Scots who have excelled at that level (Chris Hoy and Andy Murray's more recent achievements were wonderful). However, I've also cheered on endless English, Welsh and Northern Ireland competitors too and have regarded it as nothing more than a pure pleasure to see legends like Ovett, Coe, Cram, Thompson, Radcliffe, Christie, Redgrave, Holmes, Farah etc at the peak of their careers. Not being able to support British competitors because they're English seems extraordinarily narrow minded to me.

Great post.
I love the Olympics as well, I’ll cheer on the GB competitors in any sport they are competing in. There’s something really special about them that no other world event has.

[The Harp Awakes]

It's sport not politics.

I love the Olympics and am old enough to remember cheering David Wilkie and Allan Wells to gold medals along with the countless other Scots who have excelled at that level (Chris Hoy and Andy Murray's more recent achievements were wonderful). However, I've also cheered on endless English, Welsh and Northern Ireland competitors too and have regarded it as nothing more than a pure pleasure to see legends like Ovett, Coe, Cram, Thompson, Radcliffe, Christie, Redgrave, Holmes, Farah etc at the peak of their careers. Not being able to support British competitors because they're English seems extraordinarily narrow minded to me.

I didn't refer to England or English players at all, I just said I have no interest in a GB team. That's nothing to do with politics either but just a reflection of what I consider my identity to be; Scottish and European and that's where my interest lies.

[Crunchie]

I didn't refer to England or English players at all, I just said I have no interest in a GB team. That's nothing to do with politics either but just a reflection of what I consider my identity to be; Scottish and European and that's where my interest lies.
And what are England, Wales and NI if not European.

[hibee-boys]

I didn't refer to England or English players at all, I just said I have no interest in a GB team. That's nothing to do with politics either but just a reflection of what I consider my identity to be; Scottish and European and that's where my interest lies.

What’s your thoughts on people who identify as Scottish, British and European?

[marinello59]

Can't we just congratulate two footballers on their achievement without it descending in to yet another joyless discussion about national identity? It's really hard going on here sometimes.

[The Harp Awakes]

Can't we just congratulate two footballers on their achievement without it descending in to yet another joyless discussion about national identity? It's really hard going on here sometimes.

Everyone to their own is always a sound belief. Everyone has different views and there's surely nothing hard going about that. I suspect the SFA may not be keen on the players participation in a GB team either, or have they already made a concession for the Olympics?

[He's here!]

I don’t think there’s anything wrong with the team being almost entirely made up of England players, it should be the best team that’s picked. There shouldn’t be token Scotland players in just to make things look good.

I’ll never support a united GB football team though. Unless that teams made up of 11 Scottish players. I’m already conflicted enough supporting rejected English players in a Scotland top.

I've always thought such a partisan anti-English stance must be quite stifling when it comes to watching sport, particularly when it comes to something like the Olympics where Scots compete in the same team as the rest of the Home Nations and the squad is made up of the very best athletes our country has to offer. Why would I deny myself the pleasure of of British Olympic success just because there are English competitors in the teams? Super Saturday at London 2012 was, in my view, one of the greatest 'feelgood' moments in sport.

Just my view, but I also enjoy watching events like British Lions rugby tour matches, Ryder Cup (I can even remember when our team was just made of of GB and Ireland players!) plus Davis Cup tennis (the Murray brothers leading the GB team to the cup a few years back was fantastic to watch!).

[marinello59]

Everyone to their own is always a sound belief. Everyone has different views and there's surely nothing hard going about that. I suspect the SFA may not be keen on the players participation in a GB team either, or have they already made a concession for the Olympics?

Nothing wrong with different views. Time and place though maybe? When it comes to a simple congratulation I don’t think anybody could care less how I identify myself, it really isn’t relevant. As you say, each to their own.

[He's here!]

Can't we just congratulate two footballers on their achievement without it descending in to yet another joyless discussion about national identity? It's really hard going on here sometimes.

Fair point. I was a bit taken aback by some of the replies (as you say, it was supposed to be a positive story!) but will step away from my soapbox!

[Pretty Boy]

I've always thought such a partisan anti-English stance must be quite stifling when it comes to watching sport, particularly when it comes to something like the Olympics where Scots compete in the same team as the rest of the Home Nations and the squad is made up of the very best athletes our country has to offer. Why would I deny myself the pleasure of of British Olympic success just because there are English competitors in the teams? Super Saturday at London 2012 was, in my view, one of the greatest 'feelgood' moments in sport.

Just my view, but I also enjoy watching events like British Lions rugby tour matches, Ryder Cup (I can even remember when our team was just made of of GB and Ireland players!) plus Davis Cup tennis (the Murray brothers leading the GB team to the cup a few years back was fantastic to watch!).

It's also worth remembering that the success of all British athletes directly impacts the funding available to others. The success of someone from England, Wales or Northern Ireland could secure the status of athletics, boxing, cycling or whatever for the next few years and that in turn could pave the way for a young Scottish athlete in 4 or 8 years time. The reverse also applies.

For me it's not too difficult a concept. In sporting events in which Scotland and England are direct competitors then I want Scotland to win. In the Olympics where they compete in the same team then I want the British athletes to do well, particularly because there are direct benefits for Scottish athletes.

[Malthibby]

I've always thought such a partisan anti-English stance must be quite stifling when it comes to watching sport, particularly when it comes to something like the Olympics where Scots compete in the same team as the rest of the Home Nations and the squad is made up of the very best athletes our country has to offer. Why would I deny myself the pleasure of of British Olympic success just because there are English competitors in the teams? Super Saturday at London 2012 was, in my view, one of the greatest 'feelgood' moments in sport.

Just my view, but I also enjoy watching events like British Lions rugby tour matches, Ryder Cup (I can even remember when our team was just made of of GB and Ireland players!) plus Davis Cup tennis (the Murray brothers leading the GB team to the cup a few years back was fantastic to watch!).


I enjoy watching the Lions as well & the Ryder cup is so much better with a European team but I just don't view the UK as my country, Scotland is. I like watching Lewis Hamilton win in F1 but I get much more emotional watching a Panner win al four world belts..
Two Sottish Players & one Welshwoman isn't my idea of a 'GB' team, it's the English team with a couple of extras thrown in & I don't support the English team. I remember watching Kim Little at Dalkeith Thistle with Hibs beating Glasgow donkeys years ago (last time we won the league I think), she was & is great & I enjoyed seeing Caroline Weir as well but the GB team leaves me cold & disengaged.
It's beside the point but why wasn't Erin Cuthbert picked?
GG

[hhibs]

I didn't refer to England or English players at all, I just said I have no interest in a GB team. That's nothing to do with politics either but just a reflection of what I consider my identity to be; Scottish and European and that's where my interest lies.


:top marks

[The dalmeny]

Can't we just congratulate two footballers on their achievement without it descending in to yet another joyless discussion about national identity? It's really hard going on here sometimes.


With you here, I have no issue with a Womens GB team in the Olympics.

[Pretty Boy]

Since it seems beyond some people to follow a simple ask and keep this thread on topic it's getting moved to the Holy Ground forum.

Sad really but here we are