Talk:2010 North West 200 Races

Use of flags

I'm not a big fan of using the Ulster Banner which was the Northern Ireland flag up until 1972 (Northern Ireland does not have an official flag). I am also not a big fan of mixing the home nations and national flags (i.e. England and Scotland alongside Australia and Netherlands). Also WP:IMOS recommends not using a flag. I would prefer either the use of the Union flag for all home nations or no flags at all for everyone. Bjmullan (talk) 19:00, 12 May 2010 (UTC)

The issue has been referred to WT:MOSICON in respect to the cyclist Mark Cavendish and the use of sub-national flags is acceptable if there is a general censuses. If the sporting event is a Formula 1 World Championship event or a World Championship event such as Moto GP or WRC etc then the use of the Union Flag would be correct as you suggest. Agljones (talk) 19:21, 12 May 2010 (UTC)

I agree with that but what about NI riders. The flag that is current used is not the flag of NI and WP:IMOS recommends not using one if the organisation doesn't. I have checked on the NW200 site and have not seen any flags or mention of nationality for that matter.Bjmullan (talk) 21:52, 12 May 2010 (UTC)

It is a difficult problem with the use of the Ulster Banner and Northern Ireland competitors. Prior to 1972 the use of the Ulster Banner would be correct and sometimes it is a case of providing continuity and also encyclopaedic value within Wikipedia. The use of sub-national flags can be acceptable for sporting nationality. With international and world championship events it is perhaps necessary to use flags to illustrate nationality and other sporting events follow this lead. There is a problem of continuity with events that have been previously world championship events (ie Isle of Man TT Races, Ulster Grand Prix etc). Although not related to the issue to defining sporting nationality, as Scotland and Wales know have devolved governments the use of the respective flags to denote sporting nationality is now perhaps acceptable. It is a issue of consensus and also providing encyclopaedic value. As mentioned previously if the sporting event was a full world championship event the use of the Union Flag would be correct. Agljones (talk) 22:31, 12 May 2010 (UTC)