Its a typical Zola Budd situation. Our 'top' people are not ours. Even Simon Lessing is a south african who I think lives in france now. There is an influx of people who can't get in their own teams because of stiff competition so they go to other countries and push out the indiginous athletes.
I suppose it makes for good competition but it makes a mockery of the idea of nation competing against nation. Apart from being motivated by the enhanced sponsorship prospects of being an "international" athlete who can compete for gold medals they're hardly likely to be motivated by competing for the UK. It cold easily be any other flag of convenience.
i usually wear a 'cross of st george' cycling jersey, and in overseas races i have a big cross of st george flag for crossing the line with, but these flags of convenience sound much more stylish than boring old red and white
I understand you can carry several at one time in case you find yourself (a) competing for athletics funding (b) applying for refugee status or (c) transporting crude oil around our rocky coastline in a vessel where the crew and officers speak no common language.
Note also that the Welsh and Scots are legitimately entitled to adopt the nationality of any team in competition with England, regardless of any dodgy human rights record or which side they fought on in WWs 1&2.
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Note also that the Welsh and Scots are legitimately entitled to adopt the nationality of any team in competition with England, regardless of any dodgy human rights record or which side they fought on in WWs 1&2.