RUSSIA: Russians cheer as piglets compete in three events, pig-racing, pig-ball and pig-swimming, in the annual Pig Olympics

Record ID: 331766

  • Title: RUSSIA: Russians cheer as piglets compete in three events, pig-racing, pig-ball and pig-swimming, in the annual Pig Olympics
  • Date: 16th April 2006
  • Summary: (EU) MOSCOW, RUSSIA (APRIL 15, 2006) (REUTERS) OPENING OF PIG OLYMPICS WITH PEOPLE CARRYING FLAGS FROM VARIOUS COUNTRIES PERSON DRESSED IN PIG COSTUME WAVING AT AUDIENCE PIGS IN CAGE ON WHEELS BEING PUSHED
  • Embargoed: 1st May 2006 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Topics: Light / Amusing / Unusual / Quirky,Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVAA8WWWP92FZB2Z6G542K3H481Y
  • Story Text: Hundreds of Russians gathered for the first day of the annual "pig Olympics" on Saturday (April 15), cheering a field of 12 piglets who competed in three events: pig-racing, pig-ball and pig-swimming.
    Waving flags from various countries, pig trainers marched around the arena to open the games as the 'sportsmen' were released from their cages.
    The piglets were dressed in numbered bibs as Muscovites laid bets on challengers such as Mykola from Ukraine, Nelson -- representing South Africa -- and the home favourite, Kostik Russisch Schwein.
    The first activity the animals endured was a 'running race'. As the audience cheered pig coaches ran behind the animals to make sure they moved into the right direction.
    After the run, the piglets were taken to a fenced area for a competition in 'pig-ball'. Enticed by a sweet liquid on the ball, the pigs pushed it around with their snouts, scoring when accidentally pushing the ball into a marked corner area.
    In the last event, pig-swimming, the pigs were plunged into a shallow pool and encouraged to run to the other end. Looking lost, the pigs only reached the opposite side of the pool after their coaches took the plunge themselves.
    Organiser of the event and vice-president of the Sport-Pig Federation which claims around 100 members, Alexei Sharshkov, said the Pig Olympics were organised to deliver a different kind of entertainment to people.
    "This is a funny event, people are having fun and it is interesting for them to see something new," he added.
    And while the 'sportsmen' squealed, the audience said they enjoyed the event.
    "I participated in financing the preparations of the Russian team and Kostik Russisch Schwein, the captain of the team. I really like the idea of having pig olympics and the result of the sportsmen. Not everything is going perfectly yet, but it is quite funny, joyful and there is plenty of adrenaline, and it is not worse than a normal sports competition," Muscovite Constantin said.
    Organisers said the participating pigs, losers or winners, would not be slaughtered but rather kept to breed a new generation of sporting pigs.
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