National Anthem Olympics

Brian Phillips singles out for competition the National Anthems, played during Olympic Medal Award Ceremonies, basing his awards on four bases:

1. Transcendence of Historical Suffering (Freestyle)
2. 200m Inculcation of Hard-Won Optimism
3. Compulsory Tingliness
4. Volksgeist, the Expression of the Spirit of the People

The Welsh National Anthem described as sounding like “pipe organs mating in a forest” was regretfully excluded from consideration, what with Wales lacking sovereignty, independence, and all that.

The entries from Nepal and Montenegro were pretty remarkable.