Red Arrows "Banned" from displaying at Olympics

[mutley 4,498]

The world-famous Red Arrows have been banned from appearing at the 2012 London Olympics because they are deemed "too British".

Organisers of the event say that the Arrows military background might be "offensive" to other countries taking part in the Games. The display team have performed at more than 4000 events worldwide, but the Department of Culture, Media and Sport have deemed the display team "too militaristically British".

Red Arrows pilots were said to be "outraged", as they had hoped to put on a truly world class display for the Games, something which had never been seen before. Being axed from a British-based event for being "too British" is an insult - the Arrows are a symbol of Britain.

The Red Arrows have been excellent ambassadors for British overseas trade, as they display their British-built Hawk aircraft all over the world.

The Arrows performed a short flypast in 2005 when the winning bid was announced, but their flypast at the Games was to have been truly spectacular.

It is to be hoped that common sense prevails If you disagree with this decision, sign the petition on the link

http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/RedArrows201 ... dArrows201

And please pass this on!

[allardjd 1,853]

Political Correctness run amuck! Let's not do something that will please and awe 99.999% of those who see it because it might make some poor devil uncomfortable remembering that Britain once helped bring his native country's sorry ass out of the stone age.

Perhaps they'd prefer a squadron of Stukas.

Who made this brilliant decision, the IOC? Aren't they primarily European? There's gratitude for you.

I'd better desist before I get a moderator upset with me - oh, I am a moderator.

John

EDIT: I can't add my name to the petition. :mrhappy:

[Martyn 9]

To be fair, they can thank Russia just as much, if not more than us :mrhappy:

I can kind of see where these people are coming from. After all, the Red Arrows are there as an advertisement for our Armed Forces. However you are right John, its political correctness gone bonkers.

[Martyn 9]

The governments response:

It is not true to suggest that the Government has banned the Red Arrows from celebrations to mark the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The organising committee of London 2012 will decide what to include in the celebrations - but with five years to go, decisions are yet to be made on what the celebrations will look like, although you can be assured that they will be a spectacular showcase of Britain's best.

[mutley 4,498]

Thanks John at least you tried :sad:

Martyn thanks for the follow up, I am sure the final decision has not been made but there's no harm in letting our opinion be known :mrhappy:

Cheers

[Magic Man 0]

Added my support anyway...

If it wasn't for Britains military nearly 70 years ago, it's doubtful there would even be an olympics...