In spite of the Covid-19 catastrophe in New York, Nathan's is still planning on holding its annual hot dog eating contest on July 4 this year on Coney Island. The contest has been held almost every year since 1916. A few years were missed during World War II and in 1971 due to American political unrest. With the Covid-19 crisis in New York deteriorating each day, I cannot see how the contest can be held unless the usual 30,000 spectators, who are usually proximate to the action, are kept out and there are limited ESPN camera operators on site. The contestants would also have to adhere to social distancing while eating their 20,000 calories. Joey Chestnut will be trying to best his recent record of 74 hot dogs in 10 minutes.
I'm torn whether the contest should be held without cheering spectators and limited television coverage, but an interruption in the continuity of the long-running July 4 tradition is disturbing.
I'm torn whether the contest should be held without cheering spectators and limited television coverage, but an interruption in the continuity of the long-running July 4 tradition is disturbing.
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