This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk_politics/7548855.stm
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Minister stakes shirt on Olympics | Minister stakes shirt on Olympics |
(40 minutes later) | |
Minister Gerry Sutcliffe has bet his shirt on one of the fiercest rivalries in world sport: Britain v Australia. | |
The sports minister promised to wear the Old Enemy's green and gold if Team GB is beaten in the Beijing Olympic medals table. | The sports minister promised to wear the Old Enemy's green and gold if Team GB is beaten in the Beijing Olympic medals table. |
Meanwhile, his Australian counterpart is offering to don red, white and blue if Britain does better. | Meanwhile, his Australian counterpart is offering to don red, white and blue if Britain does better. |
At the last summer games in 2004, Australia came fourth with 49 medals and Team GB 10th with 30. | At the last summer games in 2004, Australia came fourth with 49 medals and Team GB 10th with 30. |
'Choke' | 'Choke' |
The Olympic rivalry was stoked when Culture Secretary Andy Burnham predicted Great Britain could overtake Australia in Beijing. | The Olympic rivalry was stoked when Culture Secretary Andy Burnham predicted Great Britain could overtake Australia in Beijing. |
Australian sports minister Kate Ellis retorted by saying British athletes might "choke" under the pressure of competing at the highest level | Australian sports minister Kate Ellis retorted by saying British athletes might "choke" under the pressure of competing at the highest level |
Australia have had wonderful times, but I suspect we are on the up and they are about to decline gracefully Graham Sharpe, William Hill | |
She followed up the claim with a sartorial wager. | She followed up the claim with a sartorial wager. |
Mr Sutcliffe told the BBC: "Kate Ellis has challenged me that, if Australia win more medals, then I would have to wear their shirt at a UK event, and if we won more medals she would do similar in Australia." | Mr Sutcliffe told the BBC: "Kate Ellis has challenged me that, if Australia win more medals, then I would have to wear their shirt at a UK event, and if we won more medals she would do similar in Australia." |
Australia and Britain have a sporting rivalry going back further than the modern Olympic Games - founded in 1896 - themselves. | Australia and Britain have a sporting rivalry going back further than the modern Olympic Games - founded in 1896 - themselves. |
Rugby union | Rugby union |
Most famously, cricket's Ashes have been competed over since 1882, with England - including Wales's Simon Jones - winning in 2005. | Most famously, cricket's Ashes have been competed over since 1882, with England - including Wales's Simon Jones - winning in 2005. |
The trophy was snatched back with a series whitewash in 2006/07. | The trophy was snatched back with a series whitewash in 2006/07. |
In rugby union, England have knocked Australia out of the last two world cups. | In rugby union, England have knocked Australia out of the last two world cups. |
However, in rugby league, of which Mr Sutcliffe is a devoted fan, Australia currently reign supreme - having beaten Great Britain in the last Ashes series. | However, in rugby league, of which Mr Sutcliffe is a devoted fan, Australia currently reign supreme - having beaten Great Britain in the last Ashes series. |
In the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Australia's 49 medals included 17 golds. Great Britain's 30 medals included nine golds. | In the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Australia's 49 medals included 17 golds. Great Britain's 30 medals included nine golds. |
Bookmaker William Hill has Australia at 1/2 to maintain superiority in Beijing, with Team GB on 13/8. Punters can get 14/1 for a tie. | |
William Hill's media relations director, Graham Sharpe, said: "Australia are expected to struggle to keep up their medals tally. Britain's most optimistic outcome is about 41 medals. | |
"If the Aussies are not quite up to their best they might be overtaken. They have had wonderful times, but I suspect we are on the up and they are about to decline gracefully. | |
"Mr Sutcliffe is still an outside bet not to lose his shirt, though. I don't suppose anyone will mind seeing a politician with egg on his face if that happens." | |
More than 200 countries are taking part in the Beijing games. | More than 200 countries are taking part in the Beijing games. |