Mr Giggs thinks its not acceptable

[The Doctor]

As to the individual nations, I was surprised to hear that athletes from Northern Ireland were competing under the rubric "Team GB." It would seem that it's GB and not UK specifically to exclude them.

See, I see that from completely the opposing perspective.  Officially, the country is called "The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland" so to my mind the adoption of "Team GB" seems more exclusive of NI than "Team UK" just because of the wording in the country name.

That said, I've no idea why "Team GB" is the preferred name...I guess because it's more natural to say that we're British than UKish or UKers (which leaves itself open to casual obscene mocking!)

[Terry Angus]

As to the individual nations, I was surprised to hear that athletes from Northern Ireland were competing under the rubric "Team GB." It would seem that it's GB and not UK specifically to exclude them.

See, I see that from completely the opposing perspective.  Officially, the country is called "The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland" so to my mind the adoption of "Team GB" seems more exclusive of NI than "Team UK" just because of the wording in the country name.

That said, I've no idea why "Team GB" is the preferred name...I guess because it's more natural to say that we're British than UKish or UKers (which leaves itself open to casual obscene mocking!)

i think the team name is full is 'great britain and northern ireland', abbreviated to 'team gb'. that explains how NI can be included, but i agree it's weird that they don't just call it 'united kingdom' and 'team uk'

[epsomraver]

some prat at an ad agency thought it was "cool" to use team GB

[LordNelson]

This would be a perfect time to whip out "Rule Britannia", ya know, as in Prydain Fawr or Breatainn Mhòr!

[Holders]

This would be a perfect time to whip out "Rule Britannia", ya know, as in Prydain Fawr or Breatainn Mhòr!

That would be fine for the Welsh, Scottish and Northern Irish but, strictly speaking, the English aren't actually ethnically "Britons" except for inhabiting the island of that name. 

[Berserker]

This would be a perfect time to whip out "Rule Britannia", ya know, as in Prydain Fawr or Breatainn Mhòr!

That would be fine for the Welsh, Scottish and Northern Irish but, strictly speaking, the English aren't actually ethnically "Britons" except for inhabiting the island of that name. 

I personally think I have some Viking origins

[Holders]

This would be a perfect time to whip out "Rule Britannia", ya know, as in Prydain Fawr or Breatainn Mhòr!

That would be fine for the Welsh, Scottish and Northern Irish but, strictly speaking, the English aren't actually ethnically "Britons" except for inhabiting the island of that name. 

I personally think I have some Viking origins

With a name like Berserker, I would hope you have!