Osler's Razor

You may not know it, but we are now in the midsts of one of the most interesting sports events Europe has to offer. It's called "Euro 2008," and it features a series of madcap, crazy contests based on the 1975 American television show "Almost Anything Goes."

The competitions themselves are just silly. Three teams, comprised of five people, both men and women, represent each nation in Europe. They are required to compete in competitive stunts such as:

* carrying a loaf of bread while sliding across a greased pole suspended over a swimming pool,

* balancing an egg on one’s head while riding through an obstacle course in a golf cart, and

* diving into a pool and climbing onto a raft in order to dress in formal clothes.

In yesterday's action, Albania defeated France and Lichtenstein in a competition in which each team took a turn trying to pull a Fiat Panda motorcar up a slight incline while kissing one another. Albania's victory means that tomorrow they will face Switzerland and Moldova in a relay race in which the participants will be nude save for clown shoes, and forced to navigate a course covered with feral kittens. If your cable service carries the BBC, it will be on that station between 3 and 5 am. Enjoy!