- 10 Aug 08, 10:57 AM
Sha Tin, Hong Kong
As a journalist, and a BBC one at that, I'm not really supposed to get emotionally attached to the event I'm covering but I'm afraid at these Olympics I've found it really difficult to detach myself.
I feel so proud when a Brit does well and can't help getting a bit upset and sad when things go wrong.
During this past two days of the Olympic eventing competition here in Hong Kong I have been on the verge of tears at least three times.
Firstly when Tina Cook rode the performance of her life to re-light Team GB's chances of a medal..
Then again when I spontaneously commiserated American rider Karen O'Connor on the recent death of her fabulous little pony Teddy..
And then again today when I saw Mary King leaving the dressage arena after her magnificent test.
But that's the great thing about this sport.
There's always plenty of emotion and drama.
Always someone who thought they were the going to do well who doesn't. It's a great leveller and riders know they can never get big headed.
We're now a third of the way through the eventing competition here.
I'm really excited about tomorrow's cross country phase. This is shaping up to be one of the best Olympic eventing competitions ever.
I know the Aussies are looking faves but with a tight cross country time of eight minutes and 0.4 penalties for every second a rider goes over the time, there is plenty of scope for movement up and down the table.
Presently Britain are in 4th place behind the USA, Germany and Australia.
As such I am still saying Team GB will win a silver medal (though let's hope my original gold prediction is still right!) I am also still rooting for Mary to bag an individual.
As she said to me today "I've been doing this such a long time I need to win a gold medal."
Not many deserve it more and I for one will have to stick my nails in the palms of my hands when I interview her tomorrow if she turns in another of her famous, storming cross-country rounds.
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Comments
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Dear BBC
I would like to know who gave you the permission to re-name our country GBR, instead of Great Britain. Was it the prime Minster the queen, the archbishop of Canterbury, Mr floppy perhaps or even Wellington Bear, or shock, horror the Great British public?
Is France now to be known as FR, or Germany as D, or Switzerland as CH?
Why are you so obsessed with all things American, just because they us USA does not mean we have to copy them.
Shame on you and use our name and stop abbreviating Great Britain.
Tony Brown
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Get over yourself Tony Brown (smilingWheretogo), it's the way of the world!
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Got to hate these people who have so little to do with their lives they have to look for the smallest little things to kick up a fuss about as it makes them feel big, clever and important.
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I'm a: any sport will do: type of person but it's the judging events that bother me whether they be Boxing right thru to the synchro. swimming so you might as well get the eurovision song contest judges doing the events;but it's the equestrian events I'll really look out for;
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Tony, it's the official abbreviation from the UN. Switzerland is SUI and France is FRA; for some reason Algeria ends up being DZA?! The ISO organisation uses two letter codes. Just feel happy the Olympics don't use the 3 letter number codes, otherwise you'd have to use 826.
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Dear Toby Brown,
On behalf of GBR, i would advise you to STFU TBH. I hope you understand the abreviations.
Yours Sincerely,
Ctzn of GBR
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And why is the use of GBR seen as being a bow to American culture? What is wrong with you? Did you have your lunch stolen by an American kid once? If you said GBR to most Americans they wouldn't have a clue what you meant and when you explained it they'd probably say " Oh I see; England" anyway.
GBR is an international standard abbreviation in almost all sports. Get over it and take your medicine.
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A great day and a brilliant ride by TeamGB(R!!!) I look forward with bated breath for day two and the Cross Country Stage...
Go Mary, Go TeamGB
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Looks like an all-night session in front of the tv!
Lets hope they all finish safely....and clear!
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Currently watching the events on television in Hong Kong, and I have to say that the sport is intense. No matter who wins in the end, the British team still performed some outstanding feats on the field.
Credits all around for athletes who has to ride on their horses in 31C weather.
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Dear Tony Brown
Sorry to bring this to your attention, the British Olympic Equestrian team is called "Team GB", hence why the report mentions this a couple of times, and always as Team GB. At no point does she refer to our country as GBR, she only mentions the team.
So instead of the negative, why don't you post something positive!
Go Mary King, that's what I say!
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Well done to all the GREAT British One Day Event team!
Honestly..............I sit up all night to watch the cross country - and then I can't bear to look!! As for the Show jumping - well, at least I now have 4 years to grow my nails back!
I am so glad that everyone came back safely.
GB or GBR? - couldn't care less! They both stand for G-R-R-R--E-A-T Britain!
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The full name of our Olympic team is Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
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In response to Mr Tony "moan a lot" Brown
I wish to clarify his point. Neither the British public nor the Prime Minister have shortened out country's name to merely copy the USA as you sate.
GBR is the standard abbreviation as part of the ISSO-3166 standard, or Codes for the representation of names of countries and their subdivisions.
Each county also has an abbreviation to follow eg, Durham would be GBDUR, therefore, the R in question denotes the Great British REALM, as it encompasses all British powers and territories, including belfast and the chanel islands respectively. We are not jumping on the band wagon and copying the USA, as this rule also applies.
I hope this has answered your "question"
Jason Pender
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