| Dublin 2004 - An Olympic Bid
In an attempt to influence the members of the international
Olympic committee on their choice of venue for the games in the year 2004,
the organisers of Dublin's bid have already drawn up an itinerary and schedule
of events. A copy has been leaked and is reproduced below.
OPENING CEREMONY
The Olympic flame will be ignited by a petrol bomb thrown
by a native of the city (preferably from Darndale area), wearing
the traditional costume of shell suit, baseball cap and a balaclava mask.
It will burn for the duration of the games in a large chip pan situated
on the roof
of the stadium.
THE EVENTS
In previous olympic games, Ireland's competitors have
not been particularly successful. In order to redress the balance, some
of the events have been altered slightly to the advantage of local Dublin
athletes
100 METRES SPRINT
Competitors will have to hold a video recorder and a microwave
oven (one under each arm), and on the sound of the starting pistol, a police
dog will be released from a cage 10 yards behind the athletes
100 METRES HURDLES
As above, but with added obstacles (ie car bonnets, hedges,garden,fences/walls
etc).
HAMMER
Competitors in this event may choose the type of hammer
they wish to use (claw, ballplane, sledge etc). The winner will be the
one who can cause the most grievous bodily harm to members of the public
within the time allowed.
FENCING
Entrants will be asked to dispose of as much stolen silver
and jewellery as possible in five minutes.
LONG JUMP/HIGH JUMP
These events have been amalgamated and will be referred
to simply as 'A Jump'. Mixed teams, in loose fitting clothing only.
SHOOTING
A strong challenge is expected from local men in this
event. The first target will be a moving police van. In the second round,
competitors will aim at a post office counter clerk, bank teller or an
Securicor style wages delivery man.
BOXING
Entry to the boxing will be restricted to husband and
wife teams, and will take place on a Friday night. The husband will be
given 15 pints of Guinness, while the wife will be told not to make him
any tea when he gets home. The bout will then commence.
CYCLING TIME TRIALS
Competitors will be asked to break into the university
bike sheds and take an expensive mountain bike owned by some mummy's boy
from the "country" (anywhere outside Dublin), on his first trip away from
home. All against the clock.
CYCLING PURSUIT
As above, but the bike will be owned by a visiting member
of the Australian rugby team, who will witness the theft.
MODERN PENTATHLON
Amended to include mugging, breaking and entering, flashing,
joy riding, and arson.
THE MARATHON
A safe route has yet to be decided, but competitors will
be issued with sharp sticks and bags with which to pick up litter on their
way round the course.
SWIMMING
Competitors will be thrown off a bridge on the Liffey.
The first three survivors back will decide the medals.
MENS 50 km WALK
Unfortunately, this will have to be cancelled as the police
cannot guarantee the safety of anyone walking the streets of Dublin.
THE CLOSING CEREMONY
Entertainment will include formation rave dancing by members
of the Tallaght 'Health in the Community' anti drug campaigners, synchronised
rock throwing and music by the Artane Boys Band and RTE Symphony Orchestra
(if still in existence).
The olympic flame will be extinguished by someone dropping
an old washing machine onto it from the top floor of the block of flats
next to the stadium. The stadium will then be boarded up before the local
athletes break into it and remove all the copper piping and the central
heating
boiler.
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