[Merged] Red Arrows Too British for the 2012 Olympics

[wilkie2]

Here is a copy of an e-mail I received,I looked through the forum but didnt see what it contains reported anywhere so thought I would see what you all think about it

> This is genuine, the links takes you No.10 Downing Street website.

Nothing I read anymore surprises me anymore. This is just another example!
Stand up and be counted if you think this is wrong.

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 below
http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/RedArrows...=redArrows2012


PLEASE REPOST. VERY IMPORTANT. IT SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED!!!!!!!!
>

[Xaccers]

It's so unbelievable it's not true.

Congratulations to the Sun for inventing a story so well.

The Red Arrows haven't even planned what they're doing in 2008, let alone 2012.
If you read the Sun article, it is unable to actually give quotes for the claims it makes.

http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2-2007421005,00.html


I'm sure we've discussed this before, or maybe I'm getting my forums confused.

Read the Government's responseThe e-petition asking the Prime Minister to "to Allow the Red Arrows to Fly at the 2012 Olympics" is ongoing. This is a response in advance of the closing date from the Government.

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.

[wilkie2]

thanks for clearing that up,if I had known the original had come from the sun I wouldnt have bothered posting it

[Xaccers]

Most of the "outrageous" e-petitions are based on misinformation, twisted facts, or just plain made up.
The mega-mosque one springs to mind.

[goldoni]

The Department of Culture, Media and Sport have deemed the RAF Red Arrows as Unsuitable for the 2012 Olympics because they are too British.
This is a ridiculous decision and should be overturned in the name of common sense.

http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/RedArrows2012/

Have they gone too far? I think we should stand and be counted and hope the server crashes

[danielf]

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/10...arrows_rumpus/

On 15 September, UK redtop The Sun caused a bit of a rumpus by announcing that display team the Red Arrows had been banned from "performing at the 2012 London Olympics as they are too BRITISH" (tabloid outrage caps, nothing to do with us).

The "barmy organisers" apparently claimed the RAF's finest "might offend other nations" - an assertion which prompted one flyboy to declare: "We have been simply blown away by this decision. For years we have talked about performing a display at the Olympic Games and how magnificent it would be. It never crossed our mind we would be banned from the event."

The only problem with this splendid story was that it was a load of old cobblers. The powers that be moved with lightning speed to quash the rumour.

The story is about 6 months old as well

[Rob]

A quick shows far too many siites to list all refuting that the Red Arrows would not be participating.

edit: beaten to it.

[Rob M]

And also, the Government's own response on the very petition page that you linked to:

This allegation is not true. The Government has not banned the Red Arrows from the London 2012 Olympic Games. 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.

And of course the Red Arrows played a memorable role in the celebrations for 2012, when they flew over Trafalgar Square to mark London winning the Games.