Mar 31, 2009 7:41 pm US/Eastern
A First For NYC: The 'Unemployment Olympics'
Looking For Slice Of Normalcy, Qualified Contestants Compete In, Among Others, "Pin The Blame On The Boss'
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
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They came out to network. They came out to compete. New Yorkers without jobs showed up on March 31 for the first annual "Unemployment Olympics."
CBS
It's problem affecting millions of people these days -- unemployment.
But on Tuesday, one man tried to turn the stigma out of being jobless on its head -- by creating, of all things, the "Unemployment Olympics."
Events included:
The "You're Fired Race," "Pin the Blame on the Boss" and "The Office Phone Toss."
"Oh yeah ... this is better than hanging out on my couch all day," unemployed video editor Alex Mermelstein told CBS 2 HD.
At Tompkins Square Park on Tuesday, more than 30 downsized, laid off or just plain fired folks competed in office-inspired events designed to bring a little lighthearted levity to their lives during a difficult time.
It was the brainchild of organizer Nick Goddard, a recently unemployed computer programmer, who thought this kind of thing might be a good stress reliever.
"It's just like ... if you're unemployed this will bring a smile to your face," Goddard said.
Added "Patricia," an unemployed marketer: "In between sitting out ... cobra payments ... constantly searching job boards ... it's just something different to do."
The contestants, who all checked in to a make-shift unemployment office ... and all had to show proof of their unemployment, were competing for a variety of gift certificates donated by local business and eateries.
But mostly ... Tuesday was a time ... if just for a couple of hours ... to forget their troubles.
But if anyone is looking for a terrific soprano ... Jing Zhang of Jersey City was there and, yes, she is available.
Some of the competitors said they viewed Tuesday's event as a networking opportunity, adding you never know who you might meet or where your next job will come from.
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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