Introducing the World Alternative Games
While all eyes are on London this summer for the 2012 Olympic Games, a small Welsh town will host the very first World Alternative Olympics 200 miles away.
Llanwrtyd Wells – the smallest town in Britain – will hold the inaugural competition consisting of a series of wacky events, including Bog Snorkeling and the Man vs. Horse Marathon, which have already put the town on the map.
The Games will take place in August and September, with their Opening Ceremony Extravaganza taking place on Friday August 17, 2012. The ceremony will be in keeping with the tradition of Llanwrtyd’s Spa town roots.
A ‘sospan fach’ – Welsh for little saucepan – containing the famous sulphurous water from its original source in a well will be carried to the center of town on a chariot. It will be poured into the local fountain, which will be running for the duration of the Games – evoking the image of the Olympic flame. The evening ceremony will include music to suit all tastes and generations.
A calendar with three weeks worth of competitions in 26 different championship events is listed on the official website. Anyone is welcome to compete as long as they register on time and pay the entry fee. Front and centre is the ‘Corinthian Spirit,’ emphasizing sportsmanship and making sure all contestants know that taking part is more important than winning.
The Games want their ‘athletes’ to act as ambassadors for their undervalued sports and shine a spotlight on them so the public can be exposed to something new and fun. All participants will be awarded a Corinthian Medal as a keepsake.
Welsh officials seem to be excited and supportive of the Games and feel it will show Wales at its best.
Carwyn Jones, First Minister of Wales, told the WAG organizing committee: “I’m delighted that we are able to support such a diverse range of events which makes the most of Wales’ culture, tradition and unique landscape."
She continued: "One of the key principles of Event Wales, our Major Events Strategy, is that we should encourage a fair and equitable spread of major event opportunities by supporting a programme of growth events outside Cardiff. We are also committed to support innovative, experimental and quirky events."
“This event will deliver a positive economic impact for Mid Wales and provide aProxy-Connection: keep-alive Cache-Control: max-age=0 oxy-Connection: keep-alive Cache-Control: max-age=0 igh profile platform for raising Wales' international reputation. During the Olympic and Paralympic Games next year, there will be 20,000 unaccredited media in London looking for stories, events such as the World Alternative Games will help us in turning their sights towards Wales for their stories," she added.
Events listed for competition in the World Alternative Games are:
- Adventure Racing
- Bathtub Champs
- Black Pudding Throwing
- Bog Snorkelling
- Bog Snorkelling Triathlon
- Chariot Racing
- Cnapan
- Egg Throwing
- Extreme Ironing
- Gravy Wresting
- Jousting
- Man vs Horse Marathon
- Mountain Bike Bog Snorkelling
- Mountian Boarding
- Octopush World Champs
- Pooh Sticks Champs
- Rock Paper Scissors Champs
- Running Backwards
- Russian Roulette Egg Champs
- Sheep Grand National
- Snail Racing
- Space Hopper Racing
- Stone Skimming
- Underwater Rugby Match
- Wife Carrying
- Zorb Racing
FIND OUT MORE
Official World Alternative Games Site
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