OAK HAMMOCK MARSH, Manitoba, April 01, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) today announced commencement of the preliminary process to formally lobby the International Olympic Commission for the inclusion of “Shuffleduck” as an officially recognized Olympic event in the 2026 Winter Games.
The announcement follows weeks of speculation.
“We can officially confirm the news is true,” said Nigel Simms, DUC’s Director of Communications and Marketing, “Shuffleduck represents the culmination of true athletic skill and artistry. The restored wetlands, which the game is played on, offer a beautiful canvas to showcase a sport we know the world will embrace.”
Shuffleduck is played on a frozen wetland pond. A mallard decoy is place 19.37 feet away. Commercially produced rubber ducks are affixed to regulation hockey pucks – known as “quacks.” In two teams of three, each player takes a turn crouching in a downward landing position and glides their “quack” along the pond to get as close to the decoy as possible. This is most often referred to as “shooting the quack.” Three games determine a winner. Should the same team win all three games, this is known as “Throwing a Firequacker.” Players wear protective eyewear and the team captain wears a brightly coloured helmet.
DUC also hopes the inclusion of Shuffleduck will encourage bidding host countries to consider their natural (green) infrastructure alongside their physical infrastructure requirements.
“Shuffleduck can only be played on an enhanced or conserved wetland,” continued Simms, “so we hope the inclusion of Shuffleduck will encourage cities to consider their conservation efforts as a key element to their host city application package.”
The organization is still determining how best to leverage its leading research resources to advise and inform the construction of Shuttleduck-approved playing surfaces for those countries submitting a host bid.
Details are available at ducks.ca/Shuffleduck.
About Ducks Unlimited Canada: Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) is the leader in wetland conservation. A registered charity, DUC partners with government, industry, non-profit organizations, and landowners to conserve wetlands that are critical to waterfowl, wildlife and the environment. Learn more at ducks.ca.