Get ready for the most thrilling and earth-friendly competition ever as Manly Beach proudly announces the hosting of the first-ever Beach Clean-Up Olympics, the SPOGOMI World Cup 2023!
This revolutionary sport is all about picking up rubbish, and it’s set to make history at the iconic site in Sydney on 26 Aug 2023.
Marine litter has become a pressing global issue with approximately 80% of it originating from cities. The SPOGOMI Beach Clean-Up Olympics aims to not only tackle this problem but also raise awareness within communities about the importance of keeping our beaches and oceans clean.
SPOGOMI, an abbreviation for “Sport Gomihiroi (picking up trash),” was initially invented in 2008 by Mamitsuka Kenichi from the Social Sports Initiative. Over the years, this innovative sport has grown into a global competition, attracting participants from around the world. Its goal is to create a proactive approach and a global movement that transcends national and generational boundaries, ultimately reducing litter that ends up in our oceans.
During the event, teams will compete against each other to earn points based on the amount and type of rubbish collected within a designated area and a set time limit. The winning team will be granted a prestigious invitation and sponsorship to fly to Japan, where they will represent Australia at the SPOGOMI Olympics in November 2023.
“Our meditation community is regularly engaged in cleaning up our beaches and parks, so we are very excited to be part of this event,” Jason Partington, co-host and the founder of MeditationHQ, expresses his excitement about bringing the world competition to Australian shores.
The event promises to be star-studded, with the presence of well-known personalities like Layne Beachley, the 7-time world surf champion, and Takeshi Mastuda, the Japanese Olympian Swimmer. These inspiring figures will share a few words of encouragement and announce the victorious team, marking a historic moment in the fight against marine pollution.
“It’s amazing to see so much support of this important initiative not only by the local council and community but also by well-known role models who truly care about our ocean,” Franziska Iseli, co-host and the founder of Oceanlovers and Basic Bananas, emphasized the importance of the initiative and the support it has garnered.
For more about this event, visit the official SPOGOMI Olympics site.
Published 2-Aug-2023
