An Olympic challenge in Hong Kong

2008 is the year of the greatest athletes on four legs ever to be gathered in China at one time. That was no typo, I said 4 legs. Well to be more accurate some are on 2, but they have wings.

No I’m not talking about the Beijing Olympics, but the Hong Kong Olympets that are underway as we speak.

The Olympets was inspired by petshop manager Howard Cheung. It seems that Hong Kong, though overcrowded and short on space, is filled with pet lovers. And Cheung knows that pets need exercise as much as their owners. So the combination seems like an excellent fit.

Some 400 pets are involved in these first ever games. As can be seen in the video dogs appear to be the most common participant, though mice and parrots are not excluded.



The secret to getting the pets to be properly motivated?

"Of course for some of the events you have to use treats so they will try harder," he [Cheung] said. "The parrots do have a tendency to climb up the rope anyway, but a treat at the top helps."

And if you were wondering, yes the winners will get their own version of the gold medals. My money is on the Dachshund, he is fast.