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Britain's athletics coach says his foreign-born athletes will know the words to the national anthem when the Olympics start next month.

The head coach of Britain's athletics team says foreign-born athletes competing for the country at the London Olympics have been told to learn the words to the national anthem.

Charles van Commenee says the athletes "know the words, or they will" know them.

American hurdler Tiffany Porter was at the centre of the so-called `Plastic Brits' debate after she was named Britain's captain for the indoor world championships in March.

Porter was born and raised in the United States to a British mother and a Nigerian father.

She's held a British passport since she was a baby.

Porter was asked if she knew the words to "God Save the Queen," and was then prodded to sing the country's national anthem. She said it was unnecessary.