by Eric Andres | June 5th, 2012
Oxford, UK – Spectators coming to the public Olympic torch ceremony in Oxford this July 9th will be privy to a unique, historic event – the first international Summer Games between real-life national quidditch teams.
The two-day event will feature games between all-star players from the United States, the United Kingdom, France, and Australia. From 12 PM – 6 PM on July 8th, all four teams will compete in an international tournament at Cutteslowe Park in Oxford. The event will culminate on the evening of July 9th with a demonstration match between the top two teams and open youth games at the Olympic torch festival in South Park.
The IQA 2012 Summer Games are organized with the help of somewhereto, a non-profit funded by an affiliate of London 2012, the Legacy Trust. Somewhereto is tasked with creating a sustainable legacy of sports and the arts around the Olympics. All event space has been leased to the IQA by the Oxford City Council.
By hosting the event as part of the London 2012 Olympic ceremonies and bringing the best players from around the world, the IQA seeks to showcase quidditch as an exciting, dynamic new sport.
Sofia de la Vega
Captain, California Cannons
June 5, 2012
2:08 pm
The link for somewhereto should be .com not .org; It’s a broken link otherwise.
Tyler Rafferty
June 5, 2012
5:03 pm
This is very exciting news for the IQA
Ben Morton
June 5, 2012
6:34 pm
So what are the chances of Canada making it? I really hope they can!
Steven Foster
June 5, 2012
8:07 pm
We (Canada) is currently working on putting together a team. Our major drawback is money. Many of our players just don’t have enough. There is a small group trying to go right now. We’re hoping to get at least 10 players to commit to going. We’ll know by the end of the week if we can attend or not.
Matt Hudson
June 6, 2012
6:41 pm
It’s a shame that (for the majority of teams) it’s who can afford it, not the best players who are going.
KC
June 5, 2012
7:54 pm
Canada is making a hasted effort to make it out there!
http://www.facebook.com/groups/162600843871040/
Support them however you can!
Evan Bell
Captain, Santa Barbara Blacktips
June 6, 2012
2:20 am
Olympic torch festival in South Park? 10 bucks says Kenny gets lit on fire by the torch and dies. (Wait, not that South Park? Bummer.)
Myah Paden
June 6, 2012
3:29 pm
that’s so cool. too bad the finals won’t be televised. That, of course, is the next step.
Ashley L Wilson
June 6, 2012
7:53 pm
Will this be televised or streaming online?
Laurie Beckoff
June 7, 2012
2:45 pm
Right now it is unlikely that the games will be able to be streamed live, but we are aiming to film all of the matches and upload them to Youtube as soon after each match as possible.
Shanine West
June 6, 2012
8:39 pm
Will it be televised?
Chris Armstrong
July 6, 2012
7:38 am
Try http://www.molewoodmedia.co.uk/live/ for live streaming