Sports Day Sack Race Banned - Too Dangerous

THE SACK race, one of the events at a school's annual sports day has been banned due to it being dangerous.

Children have also been banned from taking part in the sports day three-legged races in case they hurt themselves. Teachers at John F Kennedy Primary in Washington, Tyne and Wear, dropped the popular events, reported the Daily Mail.

It came after discussions with Beamish Open Air Museum, where an Edwardian-themed sports day is being held. Children taking part are to dress in period costume and play old-fashioned games as part of the school's centenary celebrations.

Events such as running, hopping and throwing ping-pong balls into buckets will take place, but it was decided that the sack and three-legged races were far too risky.

Simon Woolley, head of education at Beamish in County Durham, said: "We looked at a three-legged race and a sack race but what we want to do is minimise the risk to the children.

"We had to assess which of the activities were liable to cause a risk. We thought we would be better to do hopping and running instead because there was less chance of them falling over."

But Laura Midgely, founder of the Campaign Against Political Correctness group, said: "It's health and safety rules gone mad. I think it's completely over the top.