The British public is going to great lengths to give support to their home teams during the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
British Airways, a UK-based airline company, has released the results of a survey that shows that British fans are prepared to cancel holiday plans or personal engagements to cheer for Team GB and ParalympicsGB during the summer.
With less than 50 days to go to the official opening of the 2012 Games, around 40 percent of people in Britain have begun to juggle their personal lives and careers to take time off to cheer for the home team. While 10 percent of British people have cancelled their holidays, another 10 percent have postponed their vacation plans, in order to watch the Games.
Ireland is the most enthusiastic region, with around 89 percent of the respondents from the country likely to change holiday plans for the Games, followed by 45 percent of respondents in the East Midlands, and 39 percent of those respondents in London.
Luisa Fernandez, the airline sponsorship manager, said, ‘It’s such a proud time to be British and we’re hoping to get the nation into the spirit by flying hundreds of ex-pats back to the UK to celebrate the summer of sport.
We are immensely proud to support Team GB and ParalympicsGB and will be doing everything we can to rally the nation behind them and give our athletes a home advantage.’
Around 43 percent of the respondents in the age group from 18 to 24 years are of the opinion that the best way to support their home team, is by personally attending events at the Games, while around 50 percent of the respondents in the over 55 age group will be lending their support to the home team in front of their TVs in the comfort of their own homes.
British team fans now have a new mascot to rally around with team GB’s unveiling of Pride the Lion. Pride is primarily white with a red and blue mane and a red and blue tip to his tail. With the team’s logo emblazoned on his body it is hoped that he will become a popular envoy for the British Olympic Association.
