Wednesday, August 20, 2008

NBC Changes Macedonian Web page Under Greek Pressure

The original text on NBC's Olympic page about Macedonia:

A small, landlocked country in the heart of the Balkans in Southeast Europe, bordering Bulgaria, Greece, Albania and Serbia. Declared its independence from Yugoslavia in September 1991.


When Macedonia became independent in 1991, Greece objected to the use of the name "Republic of Macedonia" because "Macedonia" is the name of a region in Greece. In 1993, the United Nations (followed by the European Union, NATO, the IOC and others) recognized Macedonia by the temporary name "Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia," which remains the country's name according to those organizations.

However, the United States has referred to Macedonia by its constitutional name, Republic of Macedonia, since 2004. Negotiation between Greece and Macedonia to resolve the name dispute are ongoing.

Olympic Tradition:
Macedonia will be making its fourth appearance in the Olympic Games. Magomed Ibragimov is the only medalist in the nation's history - he won a bronze medal in the 85kg/187.25 lbs freestyle wrestling division at the 2000 Sydney Games.

Philip II, King of Macedon and father of Alexander the Great, won three Olympic titles at the ancient Games.

Beijing Outlook:
Macedonia is not expected to contend for a medal at the Beijing Games.

After Greek pressure (again), the content of the page was changed.

A small, landlocked country in the heart of the Balkans in Southeast Europe, bordering Bulgaria, Greece, Albania and Serbia. Declared its independence from Yugoslavia in September 1991.

When Macedonia became independent in 1991, Greece objected to the use of the name "Republic of Macedonia" because "Macedonia" is the name of a region in Greece. In 1993, the United Nations (followed by the European Union, NATO, the IOC and others) recognized Macedonia by the temporary name "Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia," which remains the country's name according to those organizations.

However, the United States has referred to Macedonia by its constitutional name, Republic of Macedonia, since 2004. Negotiation between Greece and Macedonia to resolve the name dispute are ongoing.

Olympic Tradition:
Macedonia is competing at its 4th Olympic Summer Games in Beijing as an independent nation. Magomed Ibragimov is the only medalist in the nation's history - he won a bronze medal in the 85kg/187.25 lbs freestyle wrestling division at the 2000 Sydney Games.

Beijing Outlook:
Seven athletes in five sports are trying to join freestyle wrestler Magomed Ibragimov (2000) as medal winners for the Balkan nation.

The webpage can be found here.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

NBC changed its page about FYROM because they have been ridiculus.
You see, saying that Filip the II was non-greek and, the same time, that he had won three titles in ancient Olympic games, who everyone educated knows that only greeks were allowed, was absurd, not to say stupid.

"The Olympics were open to any free-born Greek in the world. There were separate mens' and boys' divisions for the events."
http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/Olympics/faq4.html

Macedonians were participating in the Olympic Games, because they were Greeks.

"Women were not allowed to compete in the Games themselves. However, they could enter equestrian events as the owner of a chariot team or an individual horse, and win victories that way. The winner of the first Olympic chariot and pair race is listed as "Belistiche, a woman from the seaboard of Macedonia." (Pausanias 5.8.11) "

Anonymous said...

This is how you think of democracy?
Hide and not post evrything that we don't like?
Thank you for not posting my previous post - you proved for another time that you can't handle the truth...