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Britains diaspora at the heart of recent British sporting success!

  • 01-09-2013 5:17pm
    #1
    SharpshooterTom
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,017 ✭✭✭


    Britain have had a very good couple of years sporting wise. Very successful olympics winning 29 golds, back to back tour de france victories, Murray winning Wimbledon, England winning 3 ashes series in a row and England having their first golfing major winner since 1996. But did you know how much of it was dependant on people who are foreign born and/or who grew up in a foreign country?

    I just thought this was interesting because you know, Ireland's comes in for a lot of stick with its use regarding its diaspora, particularly in football, largely from the Irish themeselves actually with people moaning about and giving the 'plastic paddies' jibe but the UK in contrast to Ireland seems to have embraced their diaspora. Here's a quick list of 'British heroes', some of which aren't recent but have a significant place in British history.

    Athletics - Mo Farah - Born in Somalia moved to England age 8
    Athletics - Linford Christie - Born in Jamaica
    Athletics - Tiffany Porter - Born in America
    Boxing - Lennox Lewis - Born in England, grew up in Canada
    Football - John Barnes - Born and bred in Jamaica
    Football - Owen Hargreaves - Born and bred in Canada
    Golf - Justin Rose - Born in South Africa
    Cycling - 'Sir' Bradley Wiggins - Born in Belgium to an Australia father
    Cycling - Chris Froome - Born and bred in Kenya, NEVER lived in the UK ever
    Cricket - Andrew Strauss - Born in South Africa
    Cricket - Kevin Pietersen - Born and bred in South Africa (regarded by some as England greatest batsman ever)
    Cricket - Jonathan Trott - Born and bred in South Africa
    Cricket - Matt Prior - Born in South Africa moved to England age 11
    Rugby - Dylan Hartley - Born and bred in New Zealand
    Rugby - Alex Corbisiero - Born in America
    Rugby - Mako Vunipola - Born in New Zealand
    Rugby - Manu Tuilagi - Born and bred in Samoa
    Rugby - Brad Barritt - Born and bred in South Africa
    Tennis - Laura Robson - Born in Australia to Australian parents
    Tennis - Greg Rusedski - Born and bred in Canada
    Tennis - Virginia Wade - Born in England, grew up in South Africa

    Obviously some these aren't diaspora but just outright immigrants to Britain but it worth noting the diverse backgrounds amongst these athletes. And Britain quite rightly is very proud of all of these. It seems Ireland appear to be more critical of using their diaspora than the British themeselves are.

    BBC sports personality of the year is therefore likely to include a Scot, a Somalian born who moved to England age 8 and a Kenyan who's never even lived in the UK.


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