CGE to conduct poll to decide CWG anthem

Commonwealth Games England (CGE) will let the nation decide which anthem will be played at the New Delhi Games after launching a competition that will allow the public to vote online.

Voters can choose between God Save The Queen, Jerusalem and Land of Hope and Glory - with the winner becoming the official anthem of the England Team to be played on the podium in Delhi, as well as at the welcoming ceremony when the St. George’s flag is raised.

Edward Elgar's Land of Hope and Glory is the current anthem but was criticised during Manchester's Commonwealth Games in 2002.

Duncan Lewis, Marketing Director for Commonwealth Games England, said, “We’re really excited that the nation will be deciding our anthem for the Games.

"Everybody has their own opinion on what should be played, and having the public actively involved in the team’s decision making is great. Their involvement represents everything that we’re trying to achieve with our inclusive ‘We Are England’ brand – bringing the whole of the country together”.

Scottish athletes voted for Flower of Scotland to be their official national anthem for Delhi earlier this year.

Scotland the Brave had been used at previous games, but athletes voted by 211 to 15 in favour of Flower of Scotland.

Scotland gets its national anthem

It was penned to celebrate the nation's greatest military victory. Now Flower of Scotland, the song that honours the heroes of Bannockburn, will mark our sporting triumphs too.

Scotland's athletes chose the 1967 Corries hit as the song they hope will accompany them as they collect gold medals at this summer's Commonwealth Games in Delhi.

They did so by a resounding 211 votes to 15, rejecting Scotland The Brave, which was played for their record medal haul in Melbourne in 2006.

They made their decision at a special pre- Commonwealth games camp in Stirling after watching a video montage of Scottish athletes mounting the podium at previous competitions.

A team spokesman said: "There was much excitement when it was announced that, by a landslide, Flower Of Scotland will be the new Team Scotland anthem for Commonwealth Games Delhi 2010."

The vote – which was inspired by TV talent shows such as The X Factor and came after Highland Cathedral and Loch Lomond were rejected during an earlier round – is expected to go far to cement Flower Of Scotland as Scotland's de facto national anthem.

The nation doesn't have its own official song or hymn other than the UK's God Save The Queen. Flower Of Scotland is already played before rugby and football matches.

The Commonwealth Games are the only multi-sport event in which Scotland and the other home nations are represented separately rather than as part of the UK.