Tai Should Never Ride For Team Gb Again

[Humphrey Appleby]

A fair analysis of the Tai Woffinden affair. It has all the hallmarks of what also happens to a greater extent in cricket and athletics.

The reality of the world is that people move around a lot more than in the past, and it's not uncommon for people to have more than one nationality or allegiance to more than one country. The whole notion of nationality in sport, especially in individual sport, is becoming nonsensical and at some point I expect other selection criteria will need to be used (e.g. where a rider competes rather than where they're from).

[hyderd]

why just because I have an opinion different to you or that I have a better understanding of riders taking the P out of the British supporters and don't like it.

 

When I was in my late twenty's / early thirty's I earn't my living driving coaches, I chose to drive them round Europe as opposed to the UK because that was where I could earn more money to support my family. Guess what, the vast majority of the top riders choose to ride in Europe for exactly the same reason.

Tai was born in England to English parents, it was his parents who choose to relocate to Aussie land, that doesn't make Tai or his parents Aussies and like someone has already said on here. Tai is bound to have an affinity with Australia as that's where he grew up.

[OveFundinFan]

Nationalism has caused arguments on this forum, and started wars around the world.

We are all humans, all the same, just get on with living with each other.

[RPNY]

Britain as a flag of convenience and his heart is firmly in Australia. As posters have said ,a place in the National league,a Premier league / Elite league place with no Visa required ,then fast tracked to the World Cup and Grand Prix which would have been unlikely as an Australian rider.Even the conservative Speedway Star have picked up on this by running their article this week.

 

I would say this is true. He was picked for the World Cup at a very young age and received a wild card pick purely because of the British market. He quite clearly would much rather ride for Aus in the SWC, but that is probably as much to do with being close to Holder, Ward, Doyle etc, as it is to being Aus. That added to the fact he'd probably have at least 3 SWC gold medals if he rode for Aus too. I did chuckle when when I saw him singing the Aus national anthem, it didnt bother me, I can understand it having live abroad for a long time now. I did though wince as GSTQ was playing and he acted how he did. Lets just hope it was just him being caught up in the moment. We've seen him observe the anthem properly in past moments.

On the flip side, you cannot complain about Tai's dedication to the cause on track. Every GP, every SWC he's ridden his heart out while representing GB. That alone, should be all that matters.

Edited November 10, 2015 by RPNYC

[BWitcher]

Tai Woffinden's situation isn't hard for me to grasp.

 

I was born in the UK in 71

I moved to USA and have lived here since 98 and am a permanent resident.

I'm heavily involved in American Speedway and its SWC team

If we raced in UK I would certainly have pride in the British anthem

I also get goosebumps for the star spangled banner

When we have won qualifying events I have also been proud of the American anthem

When we race I am driven for the Stars and Stripes to do the best we can

When our tournament is over I'm rooting for GB first of they are still in

When it comes to football its England all the way

It is possible to have loyalty and affinity to two countries

I consider myself from both, my birth and adopted countries

 

Its unfair to criticize Tai or have any reality on his circumstances unless you've experienced dual nationality. Instead be lucky he chose GB.

 

100% agree with this and can only concur with my own situation.

 

I've not lived abroad for as long as you, nor been involved in a national team like you have, however, I already feel an affinity to Portugal and just recently in their Euro qualifying I was 'singing' along to their National Anthem.. I say singing, I only know a few of the words, so more.. da di da di da etc.

 

I am and always be English, but the longer I live here, the more affinity I will feel towards Portugal.

 

If you've grown up in a country, like Tai has, then of course he's going to have a massive affiliation to them. However, he is British, legally so and it doesn't matter what any jealous folk spout on here.

[speedibee]

You should watch MotoGP, WSBK more often/

No thanks . MotoGp and WSBK can be had for free down the local bypass . I prefer my motorcycle sport with specialised equipment that cannot be viewed anywhere other than a racetrack ,

[New Science]

 

100% agree with this and can only concur with my own situation.

 

I've not lived abroad for as long as you, nor been involved in a national team like you have, however, I already feel an affinity to Portugal and just recently in their Euro qualifying I was 'singing' along to their National Anthem.. I say singing, I only know a few of the words, so more.. da di da di da etc.

 

I am and always be English, but the longer I live here, the more affinity I will feel towards Portugal.

 

If you've grown up in a country, like Tai has, then of course he's going to have a massive affiliation to them. However, he is British, legally so and it doesn't matter what any jealous folk spout on here.

There's no problem having an affinity to another country,all we ask is to have an affinity to the country you represent

Edited November 10, 2015 by New Science

[Trees]

I guess it's like being adopted for Tai, your birth parent (UK) and adoptive parent who ya love dearly (Aus) .....

[The White Knight]

There's no problem having an affinity to another country,all we ask is to have an affinity to the country you represent

I would rather say that you respect everyone's National Anthem no matter whose it is. Every Country has a right to have it's Anthem respected.

[steve roberts]

Interesting comment from the late Malcolm Simmons when he was a columnist for the magnificent "Backtrack' magazine.

 

"Regular readers will know that I used to have little 'digs' at Scunthorpe-born Woffy for being what I once considered to be an Aussie masquerading as a brit, having spent most of his childhood growing up with his family i Perth, but British speedway badly needs to claim Tai as its own and should try and capitalise on his success this season" (October 2013)

[robert72]

Interesting comment from the late Malcolm Simmons when he was a columnist for the magnificent "Backtrack' magazine.

 

"Regular readers will know that I used to have little 'digs' at Scunthorpe-born Woffy for being what I once considered to be an Aussie masquerading as a brit, having spent most of his childhood growing up with his family i Perth, but British speedway badly needs to claim Tai as its own and should try and capitalise on his success this season" (October 2013)

I wonder what Simmo would say now if he saw tai not only sing the Australian anthem with pride and then disrespect the British anthem plus how he turned his back on British speedway when British speedway needed him.

[Terry]

As much as I'm enjoying Tai's success, wouldn't it be great if it was Bomber up there winning championships.

 

He'd certainly be singing the national anthem.

 

If only he was better!

Edited November 10, 2015 by Terry

[A ORLOV]

Just remember if we did not have Tai riding the likely hood would be that GB would have to qualify for the SWC. At the moment he is our only decent rider.

[Guest]

Interesting comment from the late Malcolm Simmons when he was a columnist for the magnificent "Backtrack' magazine.

 

"Regular readers will know that I used to have little 'digs' at Scunthorpe-born Woffy for being what I once considered to be an Aussie masquerading as a brit, having spent most of his childhood growing up with his family i Perth, but British speedway badly needs to claim Tai as its own and should try and capitalise on his success this season" (October 2013)

 

 

Nils desperandum!

Edited November 10, 2015 by Guest

[Tsunami]

I wonder what Simmo would say now if he saw tai not only sing the Australian anthem with pride and then disrespect the British anthem plus how he turned his back on British speedway when British speedway needed him.

Probably 'shut the f**k up robert' cos Tai didn't turn his back on being a Brit, he stayed true to his birthplace.

[OGT]

No thanks . MotoGp and WSBK can be had for free down the local bypass . I prefer my motorcycle sport with specialised equipment that cannot be viewed anywhere other than a racetrack ,

A point well missed, just watch the way some riders treat their own national anthems, wherever they're from. I've watched them chatting to each other whilst theirs was playing.

Disgusting isn't it?

[Humphrey Appleby]

I wonder what Simmo would say now if he saw tai not only sing the Australian anthem with pride and then disrespect the British anthem plus how he turned his back on British speedway when British speedway needed him.

The national anthem is one thing, but no-one should be expected to work for terms they're unhappy with. By that rationale, we should all be on minimum wage for the good of the nation.

[berniev123]

Have to say that the whole thread is CR*P.

Edited November 11, 2015 by berniev123

[Terry]

A point well missed, just watch the way some riders treat their own national anthems, wherever they're from. I've watched them chatting to each other whilst theirs was playing.

Disgusting isn't it?

 

As much as I'm not a fan of Nicki, he certainly respects his anthem. Just like all the Danes, Poles, Aussies and young Gregory.

 

In fact, it's only Tai that doesn't!

[ColinMills]

let me change this record.....the needles stuck!