Never mind the World Cup. Welcome to the Chap Olympiad!

[Blackleaf]

Never mind the World Cup. Welcome to the Chap Olympiad!​

This eccentric competition has got to be, without a shadow of a doubt, the most British of all sporting contests. ​

It has been held every year since 2005 at Bedford Square in Bloomsbury, central London, and is aimed at revisiting the fashions and pastimes of aspects of 1920s to 1950s England.​

The Chap Olympiad sees the nation's most refined sportschaps and women take part in an array of polite sporting events, while decked out in their best vintage costumes. ​

Competitors - who are 'awarded more points for maintaining immaculate trouser creases than crossing the finish line' - take part in events such as umbrella jousting, the 'Tug-'o-Hair' event, the pipeathlon and iron board surfing, while donning stylish bowler hats, monocles and strings of pearls.​

The pipeathlon event involved running several laps around the venue carrying a fully-lit pipe, while umbrella jousting saw competitors fighting off each other while seated in Boris Bikes. ​

Guests not only wear their best vintage outfits but also take along traditional British picnics - which includes grapes, Pimms and strawberries - to eat on the lawn.​

The event is the creation of The Chap magazine, a bi-monthly publication edited by Gustav Temple, which glorifies a dandyish way of life involving tweed, pipe smoking and fine facial hair.​

Who needs the World Cup? Stylish British sportsmen dazzle in pinstripes and bowlers at country's most eccentric sporting tournament​

The eccentric Chap Olympiad, which began in 2005, takes place every year in Bedford Square, Bloomsbury, London

Immaculately-dressed sportsmen and women take part in events such as umbrella jousting and the pipeathlon

The light-hearted social event aims to revisit the fashions and pastimes of the polite English between 1920 and 1950

By Steph Cockroft

14 July 2014
Daily Mail​

The nation might have well been spoiled for choice over the past month when it comes to sporting competitions - but it's unlikely any will have been played out in as much style as this one. ​

The Chap Olympiad, an eccentric athletic competition held this weekend in London, sees the nation's most refined sportsmen and women take part in an array of polite sporting events, while decked out in their best vintage costumes. ​

Held every year since 2005 in Bloomsbury's Bedford Square, the light-hearted social sporting event is aimed at revisiting the fashions and pastimes of aspects of 1920s to 1950s England.​

Competitors - who are 'awarded more points for maintaining immaculate trouser creases than crossing the finish line' - take part in events such as umbrella jousting, the 'Tug-'o-Hair' event, the pipeathlon and iron board surfing, while donning stylish bowler hats, monocles and strings of pearls.​

The pipeathlon event involved running several laps around the venue carrying a fully-lit pipe, while umbrella jousting saw competitors fighting off each other while seated in Boris Bikes. ​

The event is the creation of The Chap magazine, a bi-monthly publication edited by Gustav Temple, which glorifies a dandyish way of life involving tweed, pipe smoking and fine facial hair.​

Gentlemen were seen kitted out in their finest pinstripe suits and boating hats, while women donned head feathers, A-line dresses and their brightest red lipstick to enjoy the occasion. ​

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A man smokes a pipe while a woman looks through a monocle at the The Chap Olympiad, an eccentric sporting event held every year since 2005 in leafy Bedford Square, Bloomsbury, in the London Borough of Camden

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A stylish woman enjoys food and drink at The Chap Olympiad. The event is aimed at revisiting the fashions and pastimes of the polite aspects of 1920s to 1950s England

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The gathering is the place for the most eccentrically and stylishly dressed sportsmen and sportswomen of the nation, as well as well-dressed spectators

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The event, billed as 'a celebration of athletic ineptitude and immaculate trouser creases', is the creation of The Chap magazine, a bi-monthly publication edited by Gustav Temple

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The event, which includes a 'Tug-'o-Hair' competition, is a chance for Britain's most refined gentlemen to demonstrate their panache by competing in sporting events

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A well-dressed chap, complete with a monocle, takes a picture on his phone of the activities during the event

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Three chapettes don stylish hats for the event, which sees hundreds descend of the leafy square in London

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Sporting events include umbrella jousting, the pipeathlon - where those taking part must do a lap of the course, while maintaining a fully lit pipe, pictured above - and iron board surfing

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An immaculately-dressed spectator, complete with a vintage umbrella, pecks the cheek of a fellow attendee who is wearing a stylish hat

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One of the main events - umbrella jousting - takes place from the saddle of bikes. This year, 'Boris Bikes', pictured above, were used for the event

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Guests not only wear their best vintage outfits but also take along traditional British picnics - which includes grapes, Pimms and strawberries - to eat on the lawn

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Two colourfully-dressed women show off their best vintage styles, while enjoying a refreshment at the event

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One of the guests poses with two jugs of Pimms and Lemonade - the ultimate British summer drink for the traditional British summer festival

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A man watches on in preparation for one of the main events, the pipeathlon. It involves running several laps around the venue while maintaining a fully-lit pipe

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The event is the brainchild of The Chap magazine - a publication dedicated to a dandyish way of life - and was first held in 2005

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A jolly good laugh: The vintage festival takes place surrounded by the Georgian architecture of Bedford Square in Bloomsbury

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Umbrella jousting: Although the events were competitive, good manners are observed at all times

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The light-hearted event is held in a leafy area of the capital

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Although it is known for its series of wacky events, some guests go to the Chap Olympiad simply to enjoy spending time with friends

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A stylish couple take a break from the rambunctious entertainment to relax on the lawn during the Chap Olympiad

Read more: Who needs the World Cup? Pinstripes and bowlers at eccentric Chap Olympiad | Mail Online ​

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[Tecumsehsbones]

The Chap Olympiad never went to knockout rounds because the Engerlish were eliminated in the group stage.