Why is it in Athletics's it's GBR but in Government etc. it is UK?

Question

I have been watching today Atheletics and it is GBR.

Answer 1

In athletics it is GB & NI not GBR

Answer 2

GB = England + Scotland + Wales

UK = GB + NI

I don't know what the British Isles are officially, but I have a sneaking suspicion it includes RoI (Eire).

Where:

GB = Great Britain (as opposed to Little Britain, as Ireland was once called)

UK = United Kingdom

NI = Northern Ireland

RoI = Republic of Ireland

Answer 3

Because people from Northern Ireland can either choose to compete for the UK or for the ROI.

Answer 4

Because we are all mixed up in this country, are we from Britain, The UK, GB, British Isles,

We does everyone call the English, British/Brits?

They don't call the Scottish/Welsh British, eh?

No wonder the English have no identity.