Olympic Games, ah, that major sporting event where athletes from around the globe compete to win medals. From running marathons to cycling up hills, there are medals on offer for each category – that even goes for gymnastics and javelin, but I never in my lifetime thought I’d see a podium for bingo players.
No, I’ve not hit the bottle a little early, this is actually a thing. Playing bingo is more than just a game, it requires skill, alertness, dexterity and observation skills and the inclusion of bingo as an Olympic sport is gaining momentum because of one major bingo operator…
…Mecca, who is shouting loud enough so everyone can hear. Recently, Rank-owned Mecca filed a formal application to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to have the numbers game included in the list of sports approved for the next Olympics.
Well, bingo does actually meet the criteria to become one of those listed sports; popularity of the game played in a huge number of countries; from the United Kingdom to Canada, it’s affordable and the rules are straightforward – those are the criteria for qualifying Olympic games as set out by the IOC.
We’ll Think About It
The International Olympic Committee has confirmed the process of recognizing bingo as an Olympic sport in underway and will sit and deliberate the application along with others, at the next executive board meeting.
A spokesman for Mecca Bingo said: “You don’t have to train for several weeks and months. There is a definite interest and the next step is to for a bingo federation”. A video showing a superfan practicing for the Olympics has been released by the company, demonstrating how to excel at the ‘sport’.
Can you image the announcement at the Olympics changing from ‘On your marks’ to ‘eyes down’? How strange would that be? Lesly Clifford at Mecca Bingo said: “Successful bingo playing requires a steady hand, intense concentration and mental agility; three attributes that most athletes are keen to possess and that our members have by the bucketload. All of the factors which make for a great game of bingo are evident within the criteria set by the committee and we are proud to launch this campaign today."
Rope climbing, pistol dueling, sol synchronized swimming, race walking, club swinging, tandem bicycle sprint, tug of war and swimming obstacle race; could bingo be joining the list of weirdest sports in Olympic history?
What do you think? Do you think there should be an opportunity for bingo dabbers to stand on the podium? How would they even award the medals, I mean, there’s the main winner in each game – the gold, but how do you determine who gets silver and bronze? The only thing I can think of is that the one-line winner gets bronze, the two-line winner gets silver and the full house winner scoops the coveted gold…
…I’ll see you at Tokyo 2020, don’t forget your best bingo dabbers!
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