I am sure many of you remember (or have heard)
the story about how the FAI-flag was stolen from us during the
EGC2005.
Let me tell you it is unforgivable – it indicates unfair
sportsmanship.
It is only allowed to steal the flag during the last night before
Closing Ceremony.Well, I have heard a
lot of stories and rumours about the case.
One that is very believable, tells that the
flag was taken down by an Englishman who handed it over to a very
famous competition director/steward from South Africa. Reason was
revenge as the steward thinks it was the Finns that took his flag in
the 2001 Competition in South Africa.
Another story tells it was taken down as
revenge by some other team whose team flag was stolen by the Finns.
A jolly roger -case happened somewhere outside of Räyskälä.
A very nice one is a version which tells us
“the true story”…
The organization forgot to take the flag down for the night. Then
our South African steward took it down early in the morning and gave
it to our office crew. They left it to the cafeteria table from
where it was taken by the Swedish team captain who then again gave
it to somebody else to be smuggled out of the country.
Personally this is the version I don´t believe. The Swedish team
captain is such a nice gentleman; he could not possibly do anything
like that.
A famous British Team Captain keeps telling
that the flag was stolen by the Finnish Crew itself. Never have I
heard so ridiculous claims! In their home-competition – ha ha!
Finally the true story:
The Junior Team Finland game back from the
JWGC2005 held in HusBos.
They told the Brits arranged a very efficient good competition with
a nice atmosphere and pretty nice weather.
I heard they had made a very good economic
budget which they were able to follow very well. In the end was also
the result reported having been pretty nice. I envy their very
precise planning skills.
But - in fact - their budget was so tight that
the organization could not afford their own FAI-flag. The solution
was to borrow one. Which they did from Finland. Now the flag did not
require any expensive driving between the National Association and
the Competition site.
I was happily surprised when the Finnish team
captain returned the famous FAI-flag back to me after the
UK-Competition. He relayed best greetings from the British team and
especially from the organization.
 My
greetings back to them are: You are welcome!
We are about to begin the next JWGC here in
Finland. We have the flag back again and we are waiting for you!
Long live the co-operation! |
