On Wed, 12 Mar 2014 18:57:43 +0000, Phil Cook
wrote:

On 12/03/2014 18:27, Charles Ellson wrote:
On Wed, 12 Mar 2014 18:13:15 +0000, Phil Cook
wrote:

On 12/03/2014 17:36, Graeme Wall wrote:
On 12/03/2014 17:09, Tim Roll-Pickering wrote:

It's like the Olympics - they have to prepare every single competiting
country's national anthem just in case an obscure country wins a gold medal
and it has to be played immediately - which happens more often than you'd
think.

Another variation on the theme was a rugby or football international a
few years back when either Scotland or Wales were playing Ireland. The
band struck up with Amhrán na bhFiann/The Soldiers Song and the
commentator parachuted in from London promptly announced it as the
other team's anthem and didn't seem to realise his mistake until the
second anthem was played.

I think in the case of rugby if Ireland are playing in the Republic
they get two anthems since the actual National Anthem (Amhrán na
bhFiann which was originally composed in English) is played as well as
the rugby team's anthem of Ireland's Call.

This was a few years back when the internationals weren't as
consistently organised (broadcast wise) as they are now; in the past
not all games were shown and you could be chasing them via French,
Italian or Georgian television if you wanted more than the radio
commentary. The worst that seems to happen now is when the subtitler
hits the wrong button as an anthem starts but that is usually
corrected within seconds suggesting a case of traditional finger
trouble rather than not knowing their Arne from their Elgar.