Argentine Olympic advert filmed in Falklands without permission

Argentina has broadcasted a political advert filmed on the territory of Falkland Islands without authorization.

The advert features an Argentine athlete training in the Falklands ahead of the London Olympics in July.

It ends with the slogan: “To compete on English soil, we train on Argentine soil.”

Falklands legislator Ian Hansen dismissed it as a piece of “cheap and disrespectful propaganda”.

The advert – broadcast in Argentina on Wednesday night – is the latest measure by Argentina to reassert its claim to the British overseas territory it calls the Malvinas.

Produced by the Argentine presidency, it is titled Olympic Games 2012: Homage to the Fallen and the Veterans of the Malvinas.

It shows Argentine hockey captain Fernando Zylberberg running and exercising in the Falklands capital Port Stanley, interspersed with shots of penguins and the windswept South Atlantic.

Ian Hansen said the video had been filmed without permission from the islands’ authorities.

He accused Argentina of trying to “politicize the Olympics in service of its territorial ambitions”.

“It is deeply sad to see Mr. Zylberberg clambering over a war memorial. Sadly this illustrates the disrespect the Argentine authorities have for our home and our people,” Ian Hansen said.

“At no stage does the video feature any Falkland Islanders – a clear reflection of Argentina’s policy, which is to pretend that the people of the Falkland Islands do not exist.”

Last month saw the 30th anniversary of the start of the Falklands War, when Argentine forces invaded the islands before being defeated by a British task force.

Argentina wants the UK to negotiate on sovereignty, but the British government says it will not discuss the issue without the agreement of the Falkland islanders.

vbx-LCW2620