Mecca Bingo has just launched a campaign to turn bingo into an Olympic sport
The familiar cry of "on your marks" could soon become "eyes down" at the world’s biggest sporting event – after it turned out Mecca Bingo is on a mission to have the game declared as an Olympic sport.
Letters have been written to the International Olympic Committee in order to formally begin the application process for Olympic accreditation, with the aim of it being declared a sport by the 2020 summer Olympic Games in Tokyo.
The firm argues the alertness, dexterity, observational skills and good sportsmanship required to play the game make it the perfect candidate to be recognised as a sport.
To mark the launch of its campaign to get more grannies competing in the Olympics, the company released a video showing a superfan in bingo training; demonstrating the commitment required to excel at the "sport".
Lesly Clifford at Mecca Bingo said: “Successful bingo playing requires a steady hand, intense concentration and mental agility; three attributes that most athletes are keen to possess and that our members have by the bucketload."
"All of the factors which make for a great game of bingo are evident within the criteria set by the committee and we are proud to launch this campaign today."
Hmm.