Smiggin Holes 2010 Winter Olympic Bid
Smiggin Holes 2010 Winter Olympic Bid
The Smiggin Holes 2010 Winter Olympic bid was a satirical campaign orchestrated by Australian comedians Roy Slaven and H.G. Nelson with the aim of bringing the 2010 Winter Olympics to the small village of Smiggin Holes in New South Wales, Australia. The bid was first proposed during their television show, The Ice Dream, which aired as part of the Seven Network's coverage of the 2002 Winter Olympics held in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Background
The bid was purely comedic and involved numerous humorous suggestions to make hosting the Winter Games feasible in Smiggin Holes, a modest ski resort located in the Snowy Mountains region. The comedians jested about constructing a new mountain named "Mount Steggall," after Zali Steggall, an Australian slalom bronze medalist from the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics, to address the lack of tall mountains suitable for skiing events.
Features of the Bid
Several unique and comedic elements were proposed to enhance the Smiggin Holes bid:
- The local caravan park was suggested as the athletes' village.
- A portable toilet business, Dougie Does Dunnies, guaranteed the cleanest Olympic toilets.
- Catering services were to be provided by the Cooma KFC.
- The biathlon event would feature live targets, ensuring an entertaining spectacle.
- A "kangaroo cull" was humorously proposed as part of the Games' activities.
The bid was characterized by humorous slogans such as "Unleash the Mighty Mongrel of the Holes," "Winter Wonder Down Under," and "If you've got the poles, we've got the holes."
Cultural Impact
The Smiggin Holes bid captured the imagination of many Australians and became a part of the cultural dialogue surrounding the Olympic Games. It highlighted the comedic genius of Roy and HG, known for their satirical take on sports events and commentary. During their show, they even humorously presented the bid to the International Olympic Committee president, Jacques Rogge.
Although the bid was fictitious and never intended as a serious proposal, it showcased the unique Australian sense of humor and brought attention to the less-publicized aspects of Australian skiing culture.