IQA Update: Muggle Quidditch at the 2012 Summer Olympic Torch Ceremony scheduled

Oxford, UK – Spectators coming to the public Olympic torch ceremony in Oxford this July 9 will be privy to a unique, historic event – the first International Summer Games between real-life national Quidditch teams.

The International Quidditch Association, the governing body for the sport of Quidditch, is organizing a two-day event featuring games between all-star players from the United States, the United Kingdom, France, and Australia. From 12 p.m. – 6 p.m. on July 8, all four teams will compete in an international tournament at Cutteslowe Park in Oxford. The event will culminate on the evening of July 9 with a demonstration match between the top two teams and open youth games at the Olympic torch festival in South Park.

Currently, more than 500 teams around the world play Quidditch as part of the IQA. The league is based in the United States, where the game originally took off on US university campuses. By hosting the event as part of the London 2012 Olympic ceremonies and bringing the best players from around the world, the IQA seeks to showcase Quidditch as an exciting, dynamic new sport.

The IQA 2012 Summer Games are organized with the help of somewhereto, a non-profit funded by an affiliate of London 2012, the Legacy Trust. Somewhereto is tasked with creating a sustainable legacy of sports and the arts around the Olympics. All event space has been leased to the IQA by the Oxford City Council.

Lastly: Pre-orders for Muggle Quidditch Olympic jerseys from the four nations have been extended until June 26 or when the shirts sell out. Order your jersey and support the IQA and individual players on the Olympic teams. For more information, head over to the IQA website right here.