Michael Phelps may not compete for Olympic Gold as a swimmer, but at the 2016 Olympics he may be in the running for a brand new medal sport – poker.
If CircusCasino gets their way, the 2012 Olympics may have rooms full of men and women chasing, pushing, spreading, and even limping, all while
sitting on their posterior. Now that the Advertising Standards Agency in the has given their blessing those who want to advertise poker as a sport, the UK gaming company wants poker to be considered as an exhibition sport in 2012.
Of course, they may have to line up behind a few more legitimate sports like cricket and baseball and wait their turn.
If they do manage to get in 2012, however, next up they will push for poker to be recognized as a legitimate medal event by 2016.
Many folks make the argument that poker is a sport – that the level of competition and skill needed to play the game well and win is comparable, and that top level players put as much effort into training their minds as athletes do into training their bodies.
While it is unlikely to get approved, the idea of poker played in the Olympics is an intriguing one. Perhaps instead of testing for steroids, Olympic officials will confiscate all the poker energy drinks at the gate.
You can compete in poker without the Olympics – just head for Ladbrokes for a $500 welcome bonus!