LET the games begin – Cork is to host the inaugural Paddy Olympics in August.
The man behind the wacky international event, solicitor Colin Carroll, confirmed the Games, which will include a 100-metre blindfold dash, a backwards race, a 400 metre crawling race, a loudest roar and mobile phone throwing events, will be staged at the Mardyke arena in Cork city on August 14.
"The objective is to have over 250 competitors representing more than 15 countries – in order to be larger than the inaugural modern Olympics of 1896," Colin said. "Talks are ongoing with television stations and potential sponsors. Sky Sports is already confirmed."
The Fermoy-based solicitor dreamed up the idea in 2007 during a live radio interview on BBC Radio 2 with Chris Evans. Critics said it would never happen. But undeterred, Colin set about realising his dream. He also spent the last three years completing a range of other off-the-wall events all over the world. The adrenalin junkie set a new world record for the three-legged race at the 2009 Cork City Marathon.
He led an Irish team to victory in the world elephant polo championships and became the first Irishman to compete in the world sumo wrestling championships.
He travelled the world with his friend, Sky Sports presenter Graham Little, to compete in a range of madcap, and often dangerous sports. Their adventures were featured in a TV series, Colin and Graham’s Excellent Adventures, which aired on RTÉ last year and which was aired on BBC 1 on Wednesday night.
To register to take part in the Paddy Olympics, log on to
www.paddygames.ie.
a d v e r t i s e m e n t
This appeared in the printed version of the Irish Examiner Friday, June 18, 2010
