With which team do Northern Irish sportsmen and women compete at the Olympics?

Question

The British team is "Great Britain" not "United Kingdom" which suggests that Northern Ireland is not included. Does that mean that the Irish team is an "all-Ireland" team?

If so, why?

Answer 1

The Irish team is called 'Team Ireland' not 'Republic of Ireland'. This is because the team is supposed to represent the whole island like the rugby team. But if you are from Northern Ireland and want to represent 'Team GB' there is no problem due to the continued occupation of this island by a foreign army.  

Answer 2

well the GB team officially is "Great Britain and Northern Ireland" but it's just shortened to GB, so a fair few of our Athletes will be from N.I

Answer 3

Its Great Britain and Northern Ireland, thats just a mouthful to say so its shortened.

People Northern Ireland are citizens of the UK and of the Republic and are entiltled to have a UK passport and A Republic of Ireland passport so they can compete with either team.

For example Kenny Egan is from Belfast and he won Bronze for boxing for Ireland (not the UK) this year.

Answer 4

The British team is "Great Britain" not "United Kingdom" which suggests that Northern Ireland is not included.

I am not English speaker ,how come "Great Britain" suggests northern Ireland is not included a lot names for people from these three islands confused me.UK,Great Britain,England,......etc  

Answer 5

They can choose to compete with the British or Irish teams - it will depend whether they come from the unionist or nationalist communities. Unionists would usually have no wish whatsoever to compete for Ireland and vice versa.

Edit- Just to clarify things the team is competing at the Olympics under the name Great Britain and Northern Ireland, although usually most people just say Great Britain.

Answer 6

It's up to each individual but why would any unionist want to represent a country like ireland a place that has always helped the attempted genocide of the Protestant people by the catholics ?