Vuvuzela Ban Announced for July 4th

Major League Eating has announced that vuvuzelas will be strictly prohibited at the Nathan’s Famous International Hot Dog Eating Championship, scheduled to occur in Coney Island, NY at high noon on July 4, 2010.

The vuvuzela, an affordable plastic trumpet, is known for its distinct and inconsistent hum. Since the World Cup began last weekend, fans have complained that the constant drone produced by vuvuzelas has negatively impacted their enjoyment of soccer’s biggest tournament. To the chagrin of many fans, FIFA, the World Cup’s governing body, has yet to ban the noisemaker.

“We refuse to let vuvuzela use damage the competitive eating aesthetic,” said Richard Shea, president of Major League Eating, the governing body of all stomach centric sport worldwide. “As a result, these horns will be prohibited at the Nathan’s Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest in Coney Island on July Fourth.”

The Fourth of July is considered to be competitive eating’s biggest day. It is estimated that as many as 40,000 fans crowd the corner of Surf and Stillwell Avenues in Coney Island to witness the Nathan’s Famous hot dog eating contest first hand, while more than a million households tune in to the live ESPN broadcast.

“This year marks the 95th anniversary of the Nathan’s hot dog eating contest, an event that has become an integral part of America’s Independence Day celebration. We will not let the sanctity of our game be disrupted by an annoying, bee-like hum,” Shea added.

The greatest competitive eaters on earth gather in Coney Island each July 4 to compete in the Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog-Eating Contest. Last year, Joey Chestnut – the number-one-ranked eater in the world – defeated a field of 18 other eaters from around the world in front of a crowd of 40,000 fans by consuming 68 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes. Chestnut will defend his title in 2010.

The contest is free and open to the public. It will also be broadcast on ESPN from 12pm to 1pm EST on July 4, 2010.