Giggs plays down anthem row
RYAN Giggs has insisted that it made no difference whether or not Great Britain’s Welsh players sang the national anthem at the Olympics after helping make Games history.
The 3-1 victory over the United Arab Emirates (UAE) at Wembley was Team GB’s first of London 2012 and therefore its first at an Olympics for 52 years, while captain Giggs became the oldest scorer in the tourney’s 88-year history when he gave his side a half-time lead.
Giggs and fellow Welshmen, Craig Bellamy and Joe Allen, caused a row during their side’s opening 1-1 draw against Senegal last Thursday by not singing God Save the Queen. They were silent during the anthems again on Sunday night.
Giggs said afterwards: “It’s a personal thing. The British anthem is the same for a Welshman, Scotsman or an Englishman. It’s difficult but it’s not an issue for us. It might be for other people but, once the game starts, we’re all pulling in the same direction and I think that’s the main thing.”
Team GB’s final group game against Uruguay takes place at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium where Giggs, Bellamy and Allen can expect a hero’s welcome. The national anthem may not be so warmly received in the Welsh capital.
“I hope it won’t get booed and I hope the fans will get behind us as they have in our first two games. It will mean a lot to all of the Welsh lads to play in our own stadium, our own back yard, so it will be a great occasion,” Giggs said.
The 3-1 victory over the United Arab Emirates (UAE) at Wembley was Team GB’s first of London 2012 and therefore its first at an Olympics for 52 years, while captain Giggs became the oldest scorer in the tourney’s 88-year history when he gave his side a half-time lead.
Giggs and fellow Welshmen, Craig Bellamy and Joe Allen, caused a row during their side’s opening 1-1 draw against Senegal last Thursday by not singing God Save the Queen. They were silent during the anthems again on Sunday night.
Giggs said afterwards: “It’s a personal thing. The British anthem is the same for a Welshman, Scotsman or an Englishman. It’s difficult but it’s not an issue for us. It might be for other people but, once the game starts, we’re all pulling in the same direction and I think that’s the main thing.”
Team GB’s final group game against Uruguay takes place at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium where Giggs, Bellamy and Allen can expect a hero’s welcome. The national anthem may not be so warmly received in the Welsh capital.
“I hope it won’t get booed and I hope the fans will get behind us as they have in our first two games. It will mean a lot to all of the Welsh lads to play in our own stadium, our own back yard, so it will be a great occasion,” Giggs said.
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