Crickhowell Duck Race will not be affected by Tokyo Olympics say the town’s Rotary Club!

Happily the Japanese Olympics Committee went ahead with the start date of this year’s event with the opening ceremony taking place yesterday.

So it appears fears that a later start might conflict with the Big Duck Race on the River Usk, programmed for Saturday August 28 were completely unfounded.

Local residents Malvin the Mallard and Tilly the Teal commented that the Crickhowell teams had already been selected, and any Olympic candidates or spectators would be expected to fly home early so as not to miss the big event.

The Duck Sumo contest is not expected to feature on the Bullpit Meadow this year, although a couple of geese have been spotted on the river bank near Llanwysg.

The Olympic Synchronised Swimming is regarded as being an amateur pastime, and Olympic Diving seems to involve spending far too much time above the surface.

Although the Crickhowell Duck Race is an ‘Elite Event’, organisers are trying to make it also an inclusive one.

This is why you may well see some humans in the water, splashing around as if they know what they are doing.

Please give them a little encouragement by buying tickets for the event. Who knows? We may one day be able to teach them to catch and bounce a beach ball on their noses!

Meanwhile, Malvin and Tilly are in training for the proper race, at a secret location not far from Llangorse Lake …

(The above lighthearted tale was submitted by Dave Thomas, President, Crickhowell Rotary Club)