Updated May 3, 2012 - 5:39 pm
Argentine ad ties Olympics to Falklands dispute
Originally published: May 3, 2012 - 5:39 pm
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) - The Argentine government has sparked media buzz with a 90-second television ad that ties its dispute with Britain over the Falkland Islands to this summer's Olympics in London.
The clip shows Fernando Zylberberg, captain of Argentina's Olympic field hockey team, training in and around Stanley, the capital of the British territory. At one point, Zylberberg kisses the soil while doing push-ups.
The ad calls the islands by their Argentine name, the Malvinas, and carries the tagline: "To compete on British soil, we train on Argentine soil."
Falklands legislator Ian Hansen told the daily Penguin News that the ad was filmed without permission and shows Argentina's disrespect for the islanders, because it doesn't show any of them.
"We determine our own future, and we will not be bullied by the Argentine government, neither by their attempts to undermine our economy, nor by their constant misrepresentation of the truth, nor by pieces of cheap and disrespectful propaganda such as this," Hansen said. "It is hugely disappointing to see sport abused in this way, when it is so often seen as a vehicle for unity. It seems an act of desperation to sink to this."
Zylberberg told Buenos Aires radio stations Thursday that he passed himself off as participant in a March 18 marathon involving both Argentine and British veterans of the two countries' 1982 war over the islands, which sit about 250 miles (460 kilometers) east of the Argentine coast.
The clip ends with the words: "Homage to the fallen and the veterans of the Malvinas. Presidency of the Nation."
"I spent all week running on the island," Zylberberg said. "I crossed it all doing different takes. It's an incredible experience because we were surrounded by veterans."
The Argentine and British governments have spent much of this year verbally sparring over the remote islands, with both sides accusing each other of aggression and arrogance.
(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
Proposal to rename Soap Lake is deferred
There won't be a quick decision on a strongly debated proposal to change the name of central Washington's Soap Lake to Lake Smokiam.- Alaska restaurant battles Seattle for first fish
- Rockies managed 2 hits in 4-0 loss to Mariners.
- Mariners 4, Rockies 0
- New police chief for Sunriver, Ore.
- Man dead after small boat overturns in WA waters
- Soldier faces murder charges in Iraq base deaths
- GOP's top budget writer in state Senate to retire
- More Local News »
What rhymes with marijuana?
Bill Radke rhymes the news... from Monday to Friday it's the week in a nutshell. - Ross & Burbank: Video: Who can eat the most cheeseburgers in 3 minutes?
- Ross & Burbank: Video: Who can eat the most cheeseburgers in 3 minutes?
- Monson: Dori gets his own hot dog, the Dori Dog
- TBTL: So This Also Happened...
- mynw: John Curley auctions off in-studio KIRO experiences
- Radke: What rhymes with marijuana?
-

The official Dori Monson PoDog
Dori Monson unveils his very own PoDog for "Experience:... -
Rachel Belle's Dick's cheeseburger eating challenge
Rachel Belle, Sean De Tore, Luke Burbank, and Libby... -

Inside Seattle Center's new Chihuly museum
The new, permanent 1.5 acre exhibit is located near... -

Week in photos
Stars at Cannes, poodle in sunglasses, Michael Phelps...
Debating the merits of the Seahawks' QB approach
Mike Salk explains why he disagrees with a national writer's contention that Pete Carroll and the Seahawks have gone about their search for a quarterback the wrong way. - Drayer: Is it time for the gloves to come off?
- Blue 42: Huskies have work to do up front
- Sounders renew rivalry with Whitecaps
- Audio: Baldwin impressed by Russell Wilson
- Audio: Sark on O-line, backup QB options
- Vilma sues Goodell for defamation
- More proof Marshawn Lynch is one of a kind
- More Sports »
Feds say Colorado wildfire started on camp stove
Hundreds of firefighters are battling a blaze fueled by warm, dry weather in northern Colorado that federal officials say started with a camp stove. - 3 charged with terror conspiracy ahead of NATO
- LA police arrest 2 in killings of Chinese students
- 3 NATO protesters face terror conspiracy charges
- Jurors in Edwards trial will resume talks Monday
- Amid apparent rift, kin mourn Mary Kennedy
- Jokes and sympathy _ Obama greets his G-8 guests
- Pilot dies in military trainer jet crash in Calif.
- More National News »
Probation for builder of Calif.'s Phonehenge West
The man who built an eccentric Mojave Desert compound known as Phonehenge West was placed on five years' probation on Friday and ordered to serve 63 days community service, five of them at the county morgue. - Man wears briefs on head during Idaho burglary
- Moose on the loose triggers police chase in Utah
- Police on swallowed diamond: This, too, shall pass
- Authorities: Trooper gets text seeking illegal buy
- Arizona man suing Flagstaff is now its mayor
- Horse runs into sea, rescued a mile offshore
- Workers go trash-picking for Mass. woman's rings
- More Odd News »


