[GB] Great Britain /Did Not Opt Into Olympics

What is the reasoning behind this? Seems a little odd for a team that had a nice Div1 showing. Did a fax machine jam?

I guess they think they are saving money because they have no realistic chance to qualify. The biggest financial backer of the British team is the fan's club! So I guess I cant blame them.

It's still embarrassing to see countries like Romania can afford it. And its bad for the development of our young internationals to miss out on experience. Smaller teams will continue to find it easy to beat us since we dont spend any time developing as a team.

Officially, it's because of the cost. But, considering the supporters club offered to cover all funds for the trip and Ice Hockey UK didn't accept the offer, that doesn't sound like it's the real reason.

General feeling is that the leagues refused to shut down for the weekends, but don't have the courage to admit that.

The supporters club is outraged. You can follow their arguments on the forum at www.gbsc.co.uk (http://www.gbsc.co.uk).

Graham.

The supporters club should be outraged. It is ridiculous.

It is a real shame. Whatever is the reason, it can only be a bad one. :shakehead

I hope this isn't the first step to shutting down the national team. We were without one from 81-89 IIRC and with having a national coach who coaches in Switzerland I wouldn't be suprised, but it would still be terrible. I've always got the feeling that the various governing bodies in Britain (and their have been a few) are more interested in their own power than in developing British hockey, better to be a big fish in a tiny, import laden, pond than a minnow in a worldwide pond seems to be the motto for all those who run hockey in Britain, reference the row about IIHF recognition this past summer if further proof is required.

Would the British Olympic committee have anythign to do with it?

As I understand it, qualifying is one thing, but if the Olympic Committee doesn't forward your team, you won't go even if you qualified..

Which is imho, a bad situation.. remember Eddie the Eagle Edwards? Or the Jamaican bobsled team? Back then the committee didn't have to "qualify and approve" your entry, you just qualified and went with or without backing..

In a sense, the Olympics aren't the same thign anymore.. magic has disappeared..

But surely even a hopeless attempt at making the Olympics would mean games televised (money) and ticket sales (money) giving the Association money and public coverage which would help to spread the sport? What's the logic with not trying? Unless someone higher pu (ie Olympic Committee) said don't bother?

Officially, it's because of the cost. But, considering the supporters club offered to cover all funds for the trip and Ice Hockey UK didn't accept the offer, that doesn't sound like it's the real reason.

General feeling is that the leagues refused to shut down for the weekends, but don't have the courage to admit that.


if it is the case that the clubs stuck two fingers at the olympic, that is pretty weak - do they lose money or something if they lose their players? The olympics should actually mean something ... I mean to not even try shows little spirit


I guess they think they are saving money because they have no realistic chance to qualify


didnt they miss out for the second qualifying stage last time on goal difference? :dunno:

Would the British Olympic committee have anythign to do with it?
Difficult to say since the IHUK still haven't made an offiical announcement on the decision. But from everything we've been told so far, it would appear that it was an IHUK decision.

didnt they miss out for the second qualifying stage last time on goal difference?
They failed to make the 2nd round on points, finishing 3rd. However, they were still in the tournament until they lost the last game against France 5-4. But, we were given a real chance to qualify for the 2nd round for the first time since the team was resurrected in 1989. Our group would have been France, Estonia, GB and Croatia. The game against France would have been tough, but we got a 2-2 draw with them in the Div 1 WC in 2003. So, qualification for the 2nd round was a realistic aim.

Graham.

But surely even a hopeless attempt at making the Olympics would mean games televised (money)

Yes one would think so, however i doubt if any GB games would get more than 30 seconds on a breif sport bullitin, it has been 4 or 5 years since i saw any GB games live or highlights of on national TV! :dunno:

Someone may be able to correct me.... :banghead:

I thought I read in their story (gbsc) that they offered the money then GB attempted to change their decision and enter but they were not allowed to do so.