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Shearers compete in an international event - Source: Getty Images
What a Dag!
A fair bit of intial reaction, and most of it hostile, to the idea of sheep shearing eventually becoming a Commonwealth and/or Olympic Games sport.
The suggestion's come from Jeanette Maxwell of Federated Farmers who, quite rightly, references the athleticism needed to strip 700 Sunday roasts within a traditional eight hour working timeframe.
The very best, on average, can 'tame 'n' shame' three of the meaty beasties every two minutes - the kind of form that'd even put the late-night lusties from Hamilton's nightlife to the sword.
However, despite the obvious physical and emotional commitment involved, most folk would probably consider shearing to be more of an occupational pursuit than athletic past-time.
Whatever criteria the Olympics currently use when approving new sports for future inclusion, the original premise of "Faster, Stronger, Higher" seems long forsaken somewhere between Tug o' War and mixed-doubles tennis.
These days television ratings plus potential sponsorship dollars appear more likely to seal the deal than any pretence of once-held ancient ideals.
Having said that, when you consider both duelling pistols and 15-a-side rugby were part of past programmes, would the shearing of sheep really look anymore out-of-place than best-ball golf, sword-fighting or the irrepressible expertise of underwater jazzercise performed with compulsory peg on nose?
Whether or not the seasonal removal of a sheep's wool will pass official Olympic muster is ultimately a decision that only the upper echelon of the event's administrative gravy-train can decide. The backers of this bold move, confident their case will be given serious consideration, are asking folk to flock to get-in-behind the cause via the Games' London 2012 website.
Applauding the good old Kiwi ingenuity behind this quest I can only wish Jeanette every success and, to all those already loudly poo-pooing the prospect, (s)hear this: BAAAAAAAAAAA-HUMBUG!
What do you think? Should shearing be an Olympic sport? Comment below.
Add a Comment:
Post new commentCold Beans said on 2012-01-20 @ 02:50 NZDT: Report abusive post
If say, 30 competitors shearing 700 sheep each, this would be 21,000 sheep. The sheep being housed in the Olympic village would mean that each Athlete twin room would have to take in a pair of sheep. The food for the sheep would be met by increasing the number of pre-packed vegetarian dinners. As the sheep would be under utilised during this period, the inclusion of Sheep Football and Sheep Equestrian should also be seriously considered. Sorry if some of these suggestions are vague or woolly.
silentnoise said on 2012-01-18 @ 17:10 NZDT: Report abusive post
Martin making references to 'tame and shame.'... harvesting wool involves skill and athletic abilities equivelent to running a marathon back to back...not harming the sheep in the process... Shearers are attracted to the industry because it is an ultimate physical and mental challenge..preparation of instruments, timing,and careful skills...accomplishing a record, or shearing to a high standard in a show is appart form the regular shearing industry requirements. it should be considered
silentnoise said on 2012-01-18 @ 17:09 NZDT: Report abusive post
Martin making references to 'tame and shame.'... harvesting wool involves skill and athletic abilities equivelent to running a marathon back to back...not harming the sheep in the process... Shearers are attracted to the industry because it is an ultimate physical and mental challenge..preparation of instruments, timing,and careful skills...accomplishing a record, or shearing to a high standard in a show is appart form the regular shearing industry requirements. it should be considered
Federated Farmers said on 2012-01-18 @ 15:17 NZDT: Report abusive post
Federated Farmers here. Martin you are right on. Are we letting our natural self-deprecation stop us from realising something were actually pretty darn good at? How many sports have been 'home grown' and the world 8-hour champion is Northern Irish and got through a lamb every 39 seconds over 8-hours. The worlds top eight sheep herds are respectively in China, Australia, India, Iran, Sudan, New Zealand, Nigeria and the UK. Shearing is global so the sport has potential to go global too.
GiantC said on 2012-01-18 @ 11:21 NZDT: Report abusive post
No, I think that sheep shearing should not be in the Olympics. There is already far to many sports in the Olympics and they need to cut the number of sports not increase it. It is a joke that sports like Football, Tennis and Golf etc, are allowed in the Olympics when the Olympics is not the top prize for the sport.