Written by: Julia Faria
November 20, 2023
Here is the breakdown of the year's most spectacular competition – the Palaeo-Olympics, the A.S.S.'s greatest event! Our journey kicked off in the vibes of the summer semester, but it wasn't until the fall season rolled in that the excitement truly sank in.
As the leaves changed, so did the atmosphere. Amidst the whirlwind of organized and slightly chaotic planning for the PO, an overwhelming sense of anticipation took over. I couldn't shake the feeling that we were in for an extraordinary turnout and a truly unforgettable event – and guess what? It totally lived up to the hype!
The energy this year was amazing. Enthusiastic crowds, perfect weather, and overwhelming support from volunteers and sponsors made this event a success. It wouldn't have been possible without each person who showed up, contributing time and effort.
But, you know how we are – we're always looking to push the limits and this year, we decided to spice things up by introducing a couple of new stations: barley grinding, pumpkin carving, and berry foraging. With fantastic feedback and a dash of constructive criticism, we dipped ourselves into uncharted waters. The overall consensus? People enjoyed them! We were all about shaking things up, bringing in our unique flavour, and judging by the enthusiastic responses (and the vigorous efforts in the competition), it's clear that we accomplished our mission.
Surprisingly, this year brought more action than anticipated – a few more bumps and bruises to remember. The stations that stole the spotlight for unexpected excitement were none other than our walnut crushing and newly added pumpkin carving stations. These two racked up the most points for injuring team members! Thank goodness we brought more than one first aid kit! But hey, that's what happens when you combine thrilling competitions and a bunch of archaeologists.
Speaking of walnuts, let's address the gossip. Did you catch wind of that wild claim about us dropping $500 on walnuts? Hold on to your walnut-crushing stones because here's the scoop – it was just a rumour! We may be adventurous, but even for us, that sounded a bit over-the-top. I mean, what does one do with $500 worth of walnuts anyway? Palaeolithic folks would've had a nutty celebration, no doubt about it!
Now, back to the event! Each team poured their heart and soul (maybe a drop or two of actual blood) into every station, and it paid off. Three standout teams secured victory, earning not only an amazing trophy but also the ultimate bragging rights for the entire year. Securing the third spot, the Tsleil-Waututh Archaeology team; claiming second place, the formidable squad, Bone Appetit, and taking the spotlight in first – the one and only, Team Ecologic! A massive congratulations to all the incredible individuals on those teams! And for those not in the mix this time, get ready to bring your A-game in the years to come. Winning this event is no small feat, and the competition is heating up!
Overall, despite a few expected ups and downs behind the scenes, we pulled through with smiles on our faces. Running the show, coordinating with an incredible group of people, and forming new connections, it's safe to say the A.S.S. also emerged as a huge winner in this event. Can we claim the ultimate bragging rights too?
A massive thank you to everyone who poured their time and effort into making this event a reality. From our fantastic sponsors to the incredible faculty and department, our dedicated volunteers, and all the attendees, each and every one of you played a pivotal role. The event wouldn't have been the same without your collective efforts. I'm grateful to each of you for making the day truly memorable, and I can't wait to see you all, sporting those game faces, again next year.