Montenegro's 'Lazy Olympics': Who can lie down the longest

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
21 Sep 2023 18:56
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Montenegrins recline on their mattresses, striving to break relaxation records and celebrate the country's laziness.

Metronaps CEO Arshad Chowdhury (R) and another employee demonstrate sleeping "pods" in a darkened room at a Metronaps location in the Empire State Building, New York, United States, February 16, 2007. (AFP)

Montenegro is holding a competition celebrating laziness where participants attempt to record the longest time for laying in bed.

The Lazy Olympics have been hosted by a traditional bed and breakfast in Brezna in northern Montenegro for the past 12 years.

"The competition is a joke about the stereotype of Montenegrins being lazy, and we wanted to organize something that no one else has," the event's organizer, Radonja Blagojevic, said.

Participants are not allowed to sit or stand up during the duration of the competition, as doing so would result in their disqualification. The competition's previous record has been shattered by multiple "players" after a new stipulation allowed for participants to take a 15-minute break for lying in bed for 8 hours straight.

So much so that Lidija Markovic, a 23-year-old beautician, has been at the establishment for 800 hours.

Lidija and the three other competitors lounging on their mattresses were allowed to use their phones, read books, and receive visitors for entertainment

"I'll get up when I get bored, and I don't know when that will happen," Lidija told AFP.

17 people have so far proven to be unworthy of the title "the most relaxed Montenegrin," while the remaining 4 continue to neglect their obligations, family, work, and education to participate in the competition to enjoy a leisurely stay at the bed and breakfast

"I am proud of myself for enduring this long," said Gordana Filipovic, a 36-year-old cook.

"My husband says to me: 'Wife, you are on vacation. Lie down and enjoy.'"

However, it's not solely about the prestige of achieving relaxation; the competition also offers a substantial reward of 1,000 euros to the last person standing. Nevertheless, this prize seems relatively insignificant when you consider the extended duration that competitors have been staying.