UNITED KINGDOM: Gentlemen, bounders and cads stage their own 'Chaps Olympics'
- 00:00:08
- ITN Source
UNITED KINGDOM: Gentlemen, bounders and cads stage their own 'Chaps Olympics'
Gentlemen, bounders and cads stage their own 'Chaps Olympics'. For those of you who have ever wondered what happened to proper gentleman, please welcome a group of sophisticated people known as 'The Chaps'. These noble cads of refinement are a dying breed who wear horn-rimmed spectacles, listen to music on the wireless, dress in smoking jackets, cravats, bow ties and hats -- and give tips on moustache growing and gettin 4. proper shine on leather shoes. The Chaps have their own version of the Olympics and the entire concept of the games is to pay tribute to a time gone by and make a stand against vulgarity; to celebrate the 'gentleman' and the 'dandy'. Copious amounts of 'G and Ts' -- Gin and Tonics -- set the mood for the games held recently in Regents Park, London. Just before London finds out whether it has won the bid to host the 2012 Olympics (July 6), The Chaps gather at the athletics track in the Outer Circle of Regent's Park, one of London's oldest race tracks. The capital was reputed to have headed off stiff competition from Shanghai and Tangier to play host to this event, now in its second year. Athletes competed against each other in some of the most ingenious, mock Olympic games ever seen for the much-prized title of 'Chap and Hendrick's Olympic Champion 2005'. During the opening ceremony the Olympic Pipe was lit aSTRICTIONS ABOVE) contestants. When all had taken a heady puff, the pipe was returned to the Olympic Pipe Rack and the games began. Events included such activities as: The Martini Knockout Relay; Cucumber Sandwich Discus; Shouting at Foreigners; Vulgarity hurdles; Quill Throwing whilst relating of anecdotes; the 400-(SIEGESSAEULE) TOe relay; and not forgetting the Freestyle Trouser Gymnastics. In the latter, 90 seconds are allocated to contestants during which to perform the RESTRICTIONSeuvres of their choice in the Pantaloon Arena. Points are awarded for lan, panache and the maintenance of an immaculate crease. The weather was typically British; it started off fine, then the rain came and in true tradition interrupted the proceedings temporarily. But this did not dampen enthusiasm. At the end of the event, the organiser was delighted with proceedings, especially commenting on the chaotic flare that had been achieved and contrasts with other modern day Olympic games. Competition was intense and the top prize, the Gold Cravat, was awarded jointly to defending champion and Yorkshire gentleman 'Mr Slipper' and a young up-start from London known as 'Broguediur'. A quirky story.
ITN Source | August 28, 2005
