Dwarf tossing axed

David Ottewell

June 08, 2007

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Scrapped: Dwarf-tossing will not be held at the Printworks

A DWARF-tossing contest in a Manchester nightclub has been scrapped after a public outcry.

The Manchester Evening News revealed how organisers planned to hold the event - promoted as the biggest of its kind in Britain - at Pure, in the Printworks, tomorrow.

The move sparked a furious response from David Pain, chairman of the Restricted Growth Association.

He said dwarf tossing - in which volunteer dwarves in protective clothes are thrown as far or high as possible - was 'barbaric'.

The organisers, the Sunday Sport newspaper, have now cancelled the contest, saying they did not wish to cause offence.

A spokesman for the newspaper said: "The event was planned as a fun evening for all concerned. However, there has been concern raised by the public and certain groups and so we have decided to cancel the event.

"The Sunday Sport is all for people having great fun but does not wish to cause offence."

The origins of dwarf tossing are unknown but the 'sport' hit the headlines in 1986 when the first world championships were held in Australia.

It has since been made illegal in parts of America and in Canada.

Coun Pat Karney, Manchester Council's city centre spokesman, welcomed the decision to call off tomorrow's event.

"I am delighted that common sense has broken out," he said. "This would have been a new low for Manchester. What next? Burning witches in Albert Square or sending kids up chimneys?

"This kind of medieval entertainment has no place in our city."

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wayneold, manc (08/06/2007 at 10:45)

This is an absolute disgrace!

Ever since i was a kid i've dreamt of lobbing a dwarf over my head!!

marc (08/06/2007 at 10:48)

ah well, there you go.

Kat., Manchester (08/06/2007 at 10:50)

Now there is a surprise the Sunday Sport being involved!

Chuck Norris - Ninja, Naam (08/06/2007 at 10:51)

What next banning pie eating contests cause people are fat!! If dwarfs want to be tossed then it is there right to be tossed!!!

I think this will cause uproar in the world of little people!! Stopping them having fun!!!

Can we have a vote please on if this event should have been banned!!!

Would this event have been banned if it was tall people being tossed???? NO IT WOULD NOT!!!

THIS IS DISCRIMINATION!!

David,North M/C (08/06/2007 at 10:55)

Your a bit of a dictator arent you Mr Karney,I would love to see a Labour councilor tossing competition held in Albert Square.

Chuck Norris - Ninja, Naam (08/06/2007 at 10:57)

Doh!! Didn't see that vote has been going on!!!

75% in favour!!

Chris, Irlam (08/06/2007 at 11:19)

Some people have said perhaps we should throw councillors instead of dwarves....excellent idea, may I suggest from the top of Beetham Tower as a venue?

Leo B (08/06/2007 at 11:25)

Karney got his way, then. Watch out - it may be YOUR idea of fun he doesn't like next time.

AH, Manchester (08/06/2007 at 12:08)

OUTRAGEOUS! how dare they ban this event!

I think that all the dwarfs in favour of this competition should upstage a protest and cause massive disruption to manchester city centre tomorrow!

Dawn Lonergan (08/06/2007 at 12:11)

Oh no, what a shame! I have a dwarf fetish and the idea of approx 100 dwarves lined up ready for action in front of me would have been my idea of heaven! ha

Calamity (08/06/2007 at 13:05)

Dwarves are quite capable of making up their own minds on this.

Rob Johnston (08/06/2007 at 13:19)

75% in favour!!
I bet most of them were dwarfs who would have made a few quid this weekend!
Our MP's dont want to give us what we want now do they.

MisterSalford, Salford, Manchester (08/06/2007 at 13:23)

Cllr Karney better watch himself, all those people will be looking for a substitute to toss!

What public outcry?... other than the article propegated by the M.E.N and Pat Karney's promoted response, otherwise this event would have gone ahead.

Mr Manchester (08/06/2007 at 13:23)

Surely by banning it the sport will now go 'underground'; we will no doubt have dwarf-trafficking to feed the illicit dwarf-chucking gambling syndicates.

The_umpire, Salford, Lancashire (08/06/2007 at 13:24)

Cllr Karney has stated that common sense has come into play!

The common sense in this, is that Pure probably had the liquor licence threaten by the council and therefore instead of losing their day to day business they had to cancel and call it common sense.

Once again, this is a council/government interfering in what they think the people of Manchester what.....get off your backside councillor and ask them personally instead of making up their mind for them.

NB, Eccles (08/06/2007 at 13:27)

Perhaps if the organisers had removed the reference to 'dwarfs' specifically and allowed people of any size to be thrown, they might have sneaked it past the inspectors?

Pravda (08/06/2007 at 13:43)

Don't know about burning witches in Albert Square, i reckon burning the self proclaimed councillor 'for fun' would attract the punters. Then again they'd try their best to outlaw that on either a passive smoking scenario or it would breach 'health and saftety'

had enough (08/06/2007 at 13:50)

Is is because I am black!

Leo B (08/06/2007 at 14:56)

And just where was the "public outcry" referred to in this article?

William Ward (08/06/2007 at 17:53)

why not have a nearly a dwarf tossing contest using short****s like myself 5'5". Personaly I'm too old but If I was younger I'd have a go, most of my mates are verticly challenged too and we are all used to it and not worried about what others think. The world has gone politicly correct mad

Valerie Sims (08/06/2007 at 18:39)

Perhaps those of you in favour of this so called "sport" might feel different if a person with dwarfism was born into your family. Over 90% of people who have the condition are born to average size parents, and at this very moment are feeling very hurt, angry and distressed. Look at it from another point of view, if you had a teenager that was affected and he was out one evening, what would stop "louts" deciding to have a go at dwarf throwing, this could end in tragedy, or at the very least that person ending up in a wheelchair for life, as the backs of these people are very prone to problems. Have a good hard think about it, and put yourself in the position of a parent let alone a teenager.
Val.

No life (08/06/2007 at 19:17)

This story reminded me of an incident I had the other day. I was driving my car when I bumped into the back of the car in front of me. The driver got out and he was only small infact he was a dwarf, I said I was sorry and I went to give him my insurance details. He was really angry and jumping up and down. He then turned to me and looked up and said I am not Happy. I said oh right which one are you LOL.

Must admit not my kind of entertainment and certainly not the type of thing I would have thought a business wanted to be linked with!

1.866.U.midget@shortdwarf.com (10/06/2007 at 19:16)

what's a party without dwarf tossing?

Bolton (10/06/2007 at 20:54)

Hi ho, hi ho, join the queue and have a throw!

Ryan (11/06/2007 at 00:07)

Politcal correctness strikes again. In fact, its hypocrasy, its a claim that whislt trying to protect drawves from "mistreatment", it's a prejudice claim in that it assumes dwarves cannot make up their own minds on the situation. I feel sorry for all the dwarves who were looking forward to this event.

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