21 replies to this topic

[baron-pierreIV]

eusebius65, on 29 August 2010 - 11:34 AM, said:

Here's the wikipedia entry:

Australasia at the 1912 Summer Olympics

There's also a detailed entry at the AOc's website here and in the Harry Gordon boom 'Australia and the Olympic Games' which I have in my collection there is a photo of the contingent marching in with what appears an Australia flag but Australasia on the team placard. There was a joint team also in London 1908 but I'm unsure as to the ceremonies aspect.

OK. However, I don't think in the same category. The combined Oz-NZ entry in 1912 under an odd name: Australasia, is not quite the same as combined German or Korean teams because the latter 2 cases are large, traditional adversaries each who are/were more or less at each other's throats during non-Olympic periods -- i.e., unless more goes on between the 2 Southern Cross countries that we, in the outside world, are not aware of??

Edited by baron-pierreIV, 30 August 2010 - 10:47 AM.

[LuigiVercotti]

Baron, obviously you have no grip on how much we Aussies loath and detest those sheep shagging rugger bugger Crowded House lovers across the ditch (sorry Kiwis ).
Plus in the lead up to the Australian federation of 1901 there was involvement of NZ delegates so there was at one time potential for Australasia becoming a reality. The Aeotoroans obviously didn't feel comfy with the idea of being united with a superior sporting nation (sorry Mk.II lol)
However whilst I agree that the two Koreas and two Germanies were separate nations who originally formed one country, and who were diametrically opposed politically, on the basis of two Olympic teams representing two separate nations marching as one unified team Australasia in 1912 does set the precedent.
Course if we want to open up Pandora's box of canned worms perhaps we should start discussing the so-called British representation at St Louis...

Edited by eusebius65, 30 August 2010 - 09:03 PM.