Giro d'Italia - Giro plays wrong Spanish anthem

Sun, 29 May 20:27:00 2011

Giro d'Italia organisers apologised to overall winner Alberto Contador after playing the wrong anthem for his victory celebrations.

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Rather than the current Spanish national anthem, the Giro organisers played one commissioned in 1928 by General Primo de Rivera - a gaffe you can see by clicking on the embedded video at the end of the article, with the anthem starting around one minute in.

Spain's national anthem has been an instrumental since the death of dictator Genera Franco in 1978, whereupon his lyrics were removed but the tune retained.

Contador had a similar experience when he won the 2009 Tour de France.

The race organisers played the Danish national anthem during his victory celebrations.

Giro d'Italia : Podium

Reuters

Comment 1 - 4 of 4

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  1. Does this make it an official victory for Franco's­ Spain?

    From CR, on Mon 30 May 20:59

  2. OBVIOUSLY THEY DON'T LIKE HIM...just like at TDF­ 2009...to be honest, i think it's silly and­ childish to do such a thing.

    From guruu, on Mon 30 May 15:33

  3. What a champion is Alberto! I`m so so happy. Just see­ him - any reaction hearing the wrong national anthem,­ he`so strong! Cogratulations Alberto!
    Being so dominant­ all the Giro, 2 stage victories, 3 gifts to other­ riders who are very good sportsmen too and today he has­ the possibility to win the TT but the last kilometre he­ has just cheering the crowd! Exellent Giro!
    Vamos­ Alberto and good chance on the Tour!

    From s_atanassof, on Mon 30 May 4:07

  4. It's a bit rich for a TV station that cut the­ podiums to get back to their precious tennis prints an­ article about a gaff in the celebrations - at least­ they had the decency to put them on!

    From Thomas, on Mon 30 May 3:49
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