UK says Argentina's Olympics spot is 'a political stunt'

The British Foreign Office criticized a controversial spot showing an Argentine athlete training for the London Olympic Games in Puerto Argentino, in the Malvinas Islands, as an attempt to exploit and politicise the Games. The video, a House of Government initiative, went public this week spurring reactions by both the British media and the government.

"We are saddened at this attempt by Argentina to exploit the Games. The Olympics is about sport and not politics. We are also dismayed at the insensitivity and disrespect demonstrated by the filmmakers in their use of a war memorial in the Falklands as a prop,” remarked a spokesman for the British Foreign Office.

Once again the British administration defended the islanders’ right to self-determination and disputed the Argentine sovereignty claim. "The people of the Falklands (Malvinas) are British and have chosen to be so. They remain free to chose their own futures both politically and economically and have a right to self-determination."

"There are three parties to this debate, not just two as Argentina likes to pretend. The islanders just can't be written out of history," she added.

Previously, Foreign Secretary William Hague dismissed the spot as a "stunt".

"I think what is happening is they are looking for one or two stunts to try and make up for that or save a bit of pride somehow. But I don't think trying to misuse the Olympics in some way for political purposes will go down very well with other countries.”

Hague also indicated the advert was an effort to raise awareness after other attempts at the international arena allegedly failed. "Argentina has had some diplomatic setbacks in the last few weeks. They have failed at summit of the Americas to get other countries - South and North America - to issue a declaration on the Falkland (Malvinas) Islands," he told Sky News.

"Of course, it doesn't change our position on the Falkland (Malvinas) Islands. We will always support the right to self-determination of the people of the Falkland Islands," he concluded.