The Red Arrows and the Olympics

[Mercury]

I got this email from a friend of mine re: the Red Arrows not being able to fly at the olympics in 2012, as they are deemed to be too British!!

''Please read and respond.

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, so if you disagree with this
decision, please sign the petition on the link''


http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/RedArrows2012/?ref=redArrows2012

[Mercury]

Originally Posted by Mercury

I got this email from a friend of mine re: the Red Arrows not being able to fly at the olympics in 2012, as they are deemed to be too British!!

''Please read and respond.

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, so if you disagree with this
decision, please sign the petition on the link''


http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/RedArrows2012/?ref=redArrows2012

Whoops, can someone please correct my spelling on the header? I cant seem to change it.
Ta.

[Sweetpea]

Done

[Col.Kurtz]

The petition seems to be defunct as there is a statement on there saying that they've not been banned from appearing. Although I can imagine the committee that decide on these things might not want them there.
I think they would be a great spectacle as they are one of the few things left that we are best at!

The Red Arrows are an awesome sight, I've seen them twice - once at an air show at Blackpool when I was about 6 yrs old before the started using the Hawk planes and once at the military tattoo at Towneley. We watched them from the ridge as you couldn't get near Towneley for all the traffic. It was a good move though, as their display took them right above our heads for the low passes!

I'll never forget it, wish we still had those events on they were so popular! - anyone remember the Vulcan bomber fly-past and the Red Devil's parachute display?

[Sweetpea]

I have seen them many times. But, Frecce Tricolori (Italian) are better in my view. Hubby is a Licensed Aircraft Engineer, and he agree's.

YouTube - Manowar feat. Frecce Tricolori - Warriors of the World

[jaysay]

Ah well we shouldn't do anything in our own country that show our Britishness should we, Britain has been cancelled there'll be two Germany's. Give me strength

[burnlee]

The whole statement and petition is not true and there has been no appraoch to request the Arrows to attend the Olympics at this time. The team look at each year as a single, so will not be looking at that time until the year before.
The details are posted on the Arrows official website.