On behalf of the world’s professional staredown community, we the undersigned formally request that the sport of staredown be added to the games of the 31st Olympiad to be held in 2016.

Locking eyes with another person for a long period of time without blinking is a true test of athletic ability. Simply put, staredown is the ultimate test of concentration, focus, and endurance.

While confined to the world’s playgrounds for much of the 20th century, staredown has achieved official recognition in recent years with the founding of the N.A.S.P. (National Association of Staredown Professionals.)

Staredown is a sport with a universal and timeless appeal. As noted in Stareway to Heaven by historian Alex Everett, a version of this sport has been played by every civilization on earth since the dawn of man. Indeed, the ancient Greeks held staredown contests at the first recorded games held in Greece in 776 B.C.

Staredown athletes are motivated to train and compete not by financial rewards, but a pure and earnest love of their sport.

Staredown is a natural fit for the 2016 Olympic Games and embodies the very best qualities of the Olympic spirit.

Links:
www.prostaredown.com (Official Site of the NASP)
www.unflinchingtriumph.com (J.R. McCord’s documentary)
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Staring_contest (Wikipedia entry on staring contests)