Ponzolympics

Open to major international Ponzi-schemers, the Ponzolympics are historically held every 6-12 years, depending on global recessional trends. The city where they are held varies; the 2008 Ponzolympics were held in Manhattan. Due to high motivation among the financial community to become Ponzolympic Competitors, in 2009, the Ponzolympics are to be held in Las Vegas, Nevada. As usual, the Ponzi Whales will gather in Reno. The convenience of holding the '09 Ponzolympics in Las Vegas is that the bettors will be much closer to their bookies.

Events
Events vary between Ponzolympics, depending on market conditions. Included in the 2008 Ponzolympics were as follows.

Track and Field Events

 * 50 meter Bribery of Officials
 * 100 meter Corporate Swindling
 * 400 meter Tax Evasion Relay
 * 100 and 500 meter Regulatory Hurdles
 * Enron Accounting Practices Pentathlon, consisting of:
 * 1. Subprime and Near-Subprime Mortgage High-Jump
 * Competitors attempt to lend the highest amount of money to the riskiest of borrowers.
 * 2. Commercial Real-Estate, Municipal, State, and Federal Triple Jump
 * The jump is accomplished by hopping over Municipal bylaws, skipping State regulations, and jumping over Federal Criminal law.
 * 3. Toxic Student, Corporate, and Car Loan Long Jump
 * The jump is accomplished by ignoring the largest amounts of risk. It's also sometimes called the Fraud Jump.
 * 4. Bond Issues Shot Put
 * Competitors see how far they can heave a weighty bond.
 * 5. Collateralized Debt Discus
 * In this event, the competitor spins the debt in circles as many times as he can, before releasing the liability and culpability as far as he can into the field of play.

There is also a Deregulation Decathlon open to Federal employees only.

Road Events

 * Recessional Cycling
 * This event has never actually been properly contested, as it is always carried forward to "some other day."


 * 2, 5, and 10 Year Ponzi Marathons, for certified Ponzi Competitors only.
 * Points are given for the longest-enduring schemes.



Pool Events

 * Synchronized Swindling
 * Subordinate Diving
 * Points are awarded based on how many subordinates take the dive for you, and how many years they do for it.

Ice Events

 * Stock Market Luge
 * Points are given on the speed of the drop, as well as for finesse on the course.

Awards
Three main awards are granted at the Ponzolympics.