Another Triumphant
Chap Olympiad
Published on July
17th, 2016
Despite unfathomable
weather conditions, malfunctioning trouser presses and a nation in
political and emotional turmoil, the 12th Chap Olympiad made its mark
on the fields of Bloomsbury on Saturday 16th July.
An unexpected
heatwave seared through the capital, bringing with it, in equal
measure, a burst of enthusiasm to test one’s mettle in Umbrella
Jousting, Tea Pursuit and Bounder Hunt, as well as sartorial
indecision. Would tweed invoke unnecessary perspiration, disquieting
judges who are alert for any signs of athletic effort, or indeed any
effort at all? Would linen clash with other linens? Would the dreaded
short trousers have to be considered?
Luckily, all the
participants took wise sartorial choices, and Bedford Square Gardens
was awash with yet another display of period elegance, with outfits
ranging from 18th century dandies to 1950s rockabilly ladies, and all
points in between fully covered by an explosion of bright colour and
quality fabrics, all illuminated by a fierce and unforgiving sun.
The highlight of the
day was a real wedding between Mark and Lisa Glass, who tied the knot
in the interval among strewn rubber masks of stags, chickens and
Donald Trump, whose wig had been unceremoniously lifted by tossed
luxury chocolates during Toupee Trumps. Entertainment was provided by
Natty Bo and his Flames of Rhythm, who livened up a slightly wilting
crowd with their syncopated 1930s Harlem swing.
The
Chap Olympiad — A Very British Day Out
And the meek
shall inherit the earth…..
Matthew Geraghty
Writer & Editor
on The Holborn Magazine, Associate Editor The Chap Magazine, also
Sabotage Times & Ungagged Podcast
https://medium.com/@MatthewGeraghty/the-chap-olympiad-a-very-british-day-out-81e63eecf58c#.hcvl7uo7u
British summertime
throws up many an oddity, and even the occasional lick of sun, yet
perhaps none can match the Chap Olympiad for singular eccentricity.
For those whom youth dealt a daily diet of sporting humiliation; the
individual’s whose unwelcome presence on any team would give rise
to roars of lamentation, and a three goal start, then perhaps their
hour has come at last. Because this is a day on which their athletic
inability is viewed as a strength. For The Chap Olympiad positively
thrives on the men and women whose disorganized limbs, and quiet
character’s, once elevated them to school yard pariah. Truly a day
for Britain’s most unsporting sportsmen, and women, to promenade
their stuff.
The Human Pyramid at
The Chap Olympiad
Now in it’s 12th
year, and set in the Bloomsbury heartland of Bedford Square, the
Olympiad is the ‘sporting’ offspring of The Chap Magazine — the
bi-monthly bible of those who prefer to view the 21st century through
the monocle of a gentler age. And whilst it has been viewed as a
shrunken version of classic British Establishment events such as
Henley and Ascot, or playing up to the worst of Empire
attitudes — this couldn’t be further from the mark. Or the
Establishment. It is a day defined more by its affinity to the
buffoonery of Monty Python, Spike Milligan, or the Ripping Yarns
series, than any Victorian outlook. The tongue is very firmly in the
cheek. With those in attendance coming from all walks of life, and
dressing according to interest and inclination — for some an
Edwardian look is a lifestyle choice, for others it’s just for the
day.
Tea Pursuit at The
Chap Olympiad
To a great extent
The Olympiad encompasses the twin peaks of British humour — silliness
and dressing up. The games are officially opened with a ceremonial
lighting of the Olympic Pipe, by Gustav Temple editor of The Chap,
and the events are open to all. With competitors simply entering
themselves into whichever categories match their (in)abilities, on
arrival. And what uniquely British ‘sporting’ events they
are — from the Tug of Hair, involving 2 opposing teams and a
30ft handlebar moustache, to Umbrella Jousting on Bikes, and
Not-Tennis, where points are scored in direct correlation to the
degree to which the ‘player’ doesn’t play tennis. No mean feet,
when a contender can find themselves 15 — Love down for merely
glancing at the ball. And all of this is carried out against a
sartorial backdrop that might see a gent sporting a dinner suit with
leg armour, or couples in the tiger skin leotards of the Victorian
strongman. There is little in the way of a dress code, more of a
dress attitude.
Ladies at The Chap
Olympiad
At a time when large
scale, homogenous, events such as Leeds, Reading or Glastonbury hog
the limelight, and the crowds, it is nice to uncover a pocket of
British eccentricity, only a pebble toss from dreariness of Tottenham
Court Road, that adds a dash of colour to the English summer. After
all, how often will you find your flaccid form, and playing field
ineptitude, trumping the raw boned muscularity of the everyday
sporting idol. So, what are you waiting for, crack out braces, wax
your moustache, and “Play up! Play up! And play the game!”
www.thechap.co.uk
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