Bid to get Welly Wanging considered as Olympic sport

wellies.
Picture Jane Coltman — wellies. Picture Jane Coltman

In an open letter to the president of the IOC, Wynsors chief, who is also chaiman of the Welly Wanging Federation (UK), has writted: “We are writing to you as we wish for welly wanging to be considered for participation in the upcoming 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan.

“Following the success of the Games in London, the country has gone into sporting over-drive which has resulted in a booming sporting culture and a revival in bygone past-times.

“The Welly Wanging Federation has received an overwhelming response to its inception and we aim to bring the sport to a global level. The organisation prides itself on following the Olympic credo ‘Citius, Altius, Fortius’ (translated as higher, faster, stronger). Competitors endure gruelling training methods with the aim of throwing longer, harder and farther.

“For generations, the British population have taken on these Olympic values and are now world-class tossers in welly wanging; continually raising new generations of welly wangers.

“The sport’s Yorkshire roots have been carefully followed since its inception and we welcome the opportunity for its participants to take heed of the traditional wanging motto:

“Ear all, see all, say nowt;

Eyt all, sup all, pay nowt;

And if ivver tha does owt fer nowt –

Allus do it fer thissen”

“The sport is said to originate following an incident where a pint of ale was spilt into a local resident’s Wellington Boot following a rather unfortunate incident. In a fit of rage, the welly owner ‘wanged’ his boot across the room in a weapon-like fashion. This has been a story passed down for generations, and the scene has been re-enacted since that day.

“To mark this, the World Welly Wanging Championships are held every year in Upperthong, Yorkshire, to commemorate the history and breed new welly wangers. My business, Wynsors World of Shoes are very proud to sponsor this year’s event which will be held from June 26th-28th.

“The intricate technological development of the Wellington boot has seen the Englishman develop welly tossing into what it is today. We have faith the Olympic Committee will take note of the Fair Play rules and anti-drug policy associated with the sport (Yorkshire Tea is the only stimulant permitted). We would like to remind you a pint of Yorkshire ale is allowed to be supped (over 18s only) an hour before the first wang of the competition starting. This is in keeping with the sport’s history; giving a gentle nod of the flat cap to the two founding, merry instigators.

“The Welly Wanging Federation has all faith that the Olympic Committee will take our application into full, careful consideration. We hope to see the world enjoy the family-friendly sport and we hope to inspire the next generation of wangers.”