Proud Yorkshireman Brownlee waves white rose not white flag

TEAM GB chef de mission Andy Hunt was cheering from the sidelines as Alistair Brownlee decimated his rivals to underline his Olympic favourites status at the ITU World Championship Series triathlon in London.

PROUD YORKSHIREMAN: Alistair Brownlee celebrates his London victory with the flag of his native county (Delly Carr/ITU)

How Hunt and London 2012 organisers would love a repeat performance in exactly one year’s time, although they could probably do without the celebration.

Dewsbury-born, Leeds-based Brownlee wrapped himself in the flag of Yorkshire as he crossed the finish line. 

But there can be no such parochial patriotism next year.

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At the 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake City, British skier and proud Scot Alain Baxter fell foul of the British Olympic Association after he dyed a Saltire in his hair.

And Australian athlete Cathy Freeman caused controversy at the 2000 Olympics by carrying an Aboriginal flag during the lap of honour that followed her memorable 400m victory.

The International Olympic Committee, in all their self righteous stuffiness, only permit flags of competing nations at the Games.

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But Brownlee, a true nice guy in a sport well known for its iron men, can’t be castigated too much for his show of love to what his brethren call ‘God’s Own County’.

It’s been a good week for those loyal to the white rose – Tim Bresnan ripping through Indian batsmen with a ruthless display of pace bowling on what also happened to be Yorkshire Day, an annual celebration of everything from Brian Turner’s eponymous puddings to Geoffrey Boycott.

There’s an old cricket saying that when Yorkshire are good so are England.

Does the same apply to Team GB?

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