Middle Earth Olympics: Tharbad

[Valandil]

Once every four years * the various peoples of Middle Earth set aside their differences and come together to compete in competitions of athleticism, sportsmanship and endurance - The Middle Earth Olympics!

* Note that the events recounted in "The Hobbit" and "The Lord of the Rings" occurred in off-years when no Olympics were held.

This year's version of the MEO is held in Tharbad, where the city is being repopulated (get to work, peoples of Middle Earth!) and whose bridge is currently undergoing major reconstruction. Naturally, air quality has been part of the story leading up to these games - but after a temporary halt in the construction activities - leaving only a single lane open on the bridge for the 60 league cycling endurance race and later Marathon Run - the Games go on!

The Middle Earth Olympic Torch has just been lit, by the pyrotechnics of one Grey Pilgrim. The only question that remains is whether that WAS INDEED the voice of Tom Bombadil singing that opening number, or if it was lip-synced by the Witch King.

Entrants are now being taken for Olympic Events. Events and teams already registered are as follows (first week only):

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Women's Beach Volleyball
Galadriel of Lothlorien and Eowyn of Rohan (undefeated in their last 114 matches)


Men's Basketball
The Numenorean 7-footers
The Halflings of the Shire
The Dwarves of Moria
The Ents of Fanghorn
The Trolls of Ettenmoors
Tom and the Five Istari
Nine "Mystery Men" in Black


Swimming
Amroth of Lothlorien (good luck, buddy!)
Isildur of Gondor and Arnor (ditto!)
Arvedui of Arthedain (oh boy!)
Voronwe of Gondolin


Archery
Beleg Strongbow of Doriath
Bard of Esgaroth
Legolas of Mirkwood


Wrestling
Elendil of Arnor
Grishnakh of the Dark Tower


Fencing
Elendil of Arnor
Turin of... well, he won't exactly say


Sailing
Elendil of Arnor
Cirdan of Lindon
Feanor of the Noldor
Castamir of Gondor
Aldarion of Numenor

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Still plenty of room to come on out and play! Entrants for Track and Field, Equestrian, etc will not be accepted until the second week.