Anthem passion

I'm not as fiercely patriotic as some. The passion and emotion displayed by sportswomen and men prior to international competition, or when the gold medal has been won is admirable and I wish I felt the same. You see tears, eyes closed, with lyrics belted out, and the tunes to several anthems are catchy and rousing. Italy, Argentina, Brazil, South Africa - all cracking tunes, and while my nation's anthem may be too, I just don't feel it in my heart and soul, as I would do in songs by my favourite singers or bands. In some ways I envy those who do.

A bundle of years ago I lived in France, and played for the local rugby club. Scotland played France in Edinburgh and I was invited to the local exhibition hall in the town I was staying to watch the match on the big screen. Two hundred fervent French folk versus me. The French anthem was played via the tv and the French sang it loudly and proudly, right palms on hearts, mirroring their sporting heroes. I was amongst amis for the most part - we'd had our to-dos on the rugby field, but always sportingly done. The Scottish anthem (Scotland the Brave at the time). The French started doing mini-jigs and while I did feel patriotic for a moment, it was eclipsed by the French reaction. They had a good time alright, liking the tune for its jauntiness and hum-factor.

The pic is the Brazilian national football team captain Tiago Silva singing his country's national anthem, taken from BBC TV coverage this evening. That's anthem passion - I admire it, I envy it even. I just don't feel it in my country's own anthem.