I see that the story about the Red Arrows being banned from the 2012 Olympics, because they are deemed to be too British and too militaristic, has resurfaced again.
This time in none other media organ than the Guardian.
Oh dear, a month or so after the story broke and the Guardian has finally got around to reporting it. The trouble is, all and sundry in the government have stated that the story is unfounded; as no decision has yet been made about the Red Arrows appearing, or not appearing.
Well done the Guardian, for keeping so fully abreast of events!
Showing posts with label Red Arrows. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Red Arrows. Show all posts
Wednesday, 24 October 2007
Thursday, 4 October 2007
Number 10 Denies Red Arrows Ban
This was posted on the 10 Downing Street website yesterday, in response to the Red Arrows petition:
"The Prime Minister's Office has responded early to a petition on its website declaring "untrue" rumours that the Red Arrows had been banned from the opening ceremony of the 2012 Olympics.
The petition claimed that "The Department of Culture, Media and Sport have deemed the RAF Red Arrows as Unsuitable for the 2012 Olympics because they are too British," but the response to the petition, posted ahead of the closing date, makes clear that the Red Arrows have not been banned from the opening ceremony for 2012 and that no decision on the ceremony has actually been made.
The organising committee of London 2012 will decide what to include in the Opening Ceremony and other celebrations - but with almost five years to go, decisions are yet to be made on what these will look like.
Speaking on the issue, Red Arrows spokesman Rachel Huxford said:
"We have had no discussions about the opening ceremony of the 2012 London Olympics whatsoever. We are still planning our 2008 season at this stage and that is a long way off.
"We understand that no decision has yet been made about the ceremony. We performed when London won its Olympic bid in 2005 after we received a standard request from the Olympic organisers."
Any bets as to what the final decision will be though?
"The Prime Minister's Office has responded early to a petition on its website declaring "untrue" rumours that the Red Arrows had been banned from the opening ceremony of the 2012 Olympics.
The petition claimed that "The Department of Culture, Media and Sport have deemed the RAF Red Arrows as Unsuitable for the 2012 Olympics because they are too British," but the response to the petition, posted ahead of the closing date, makes clear that the Red Arrows have not been banned from the opening ceremony for 2012 and that no decision on the ceremony has actually been made.
The organising committee of London 2012 will decide what to include in the Opening Ceremony and other celebrations - but with almost five years to go, decisions are yet to be made on what these will look like.
Speaking on the issue, Red Arrows spokesman Rachel Huxford said:
"We have had no discussions about the opening ceremony of the 2012 London Olympics whatsoever. We are still planning our 2008 season at this stage and that is a long way off.
"We understand that no decision has yet been made about the ceremony. We performed when London won its Olympic bid in 2005 after we received a standard request from the Olympic organisers."
Any bets as to what the final decision will be though?
Wednesday, 26 September 2007
Red Arrows Petition
We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to allow the Red Arrows to fly at the 2012 Olympics.
Sign up here
Sign up here
Monday, 17 September 2007
Red Arrows Banned?
There is something of a furore brewing, yet another one, over the London 2012 Olympics. This particular row concerns the possible banning of the RAF display team "The Red Arrows".
It has been reported that the Red Arrows may be banned from performing at the opening ceremony, as the Department for Culture, Media and Sport believe that the team's military background "might offend other nations".
It is alleged that the Department for Culture, Media and Sport ruled last week that the Red Arrows is "unsuitable" and "not in keeping with the event as they were too militaristically British".
The Red Arrows spokesman Rachel Huxford said:
"We have had no discussions about the opening ceremony of the 2012 London Olympics whatsoever.
We are still planning our 2008 season at this stage and that is a long way off. We understand that no decision has yet been made about the ceremony.
We performed when London won its Olympic bid in 2005 after we received a standard request from the Olympic organisers."
That of course does not mean that they will perform at the opening ceremony.
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport was unavailable for comment.
It has been reported that the Red Arrows may be banned from performing at the opening ceremony, as the Department for Culture, Media and Sport believe that the team's military background "might offend other nations".
It is alleged that the Department for Culture, Media and Sport ruled last week that the Red Arrows is "unsuitable" and "not in keeping with the event as they were too militaristically British".
The Red Arrows spokesman Rachel Huxford said:
"We have had no discussions about the opening ceremony of the 2012 London Olympics whatsoever.
We are still planning our 2008 season at this stage and that is a long way off. We understand that no decision has yet been made about the ceremony.
We performed when London won its Olympic bid in 2005 after we received a standard request from the Olympic organisers."
That of course does not mean that they will perform at the opening ceremony.
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport was unavailable for comment.
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