RUSSIA: COUNTRY'S FIRST EVER OFFICIAL VODKA DRINKING CONTEST

(15 Nov 1997) Russian/Nat

Russia's hardest drinkers went head to head in Moscow on Saturday for what was surprisingly the country's first ever official Vodka drinking contest.

Famous for their ability to absorb alcohol, Russians have never before had the chance to test their Vodka tolerance - with a trained doctor present to judge sobriety.

Some observers were appalled by the binge drinking, given Russia's shockingly high alcohol death rate.

In the centre of Moscow, Russia's top drinkers gathered to fight it out with the shot glass.

To beer drinkers, this kind of thing may seem like nothing special -- beer guzzling contests are common all over the world.

But in Russia, despite the popularity of vodka -- there has never been an official vodka drinking contest.

So in the spirit of Russia's national pastime -- vodka -- a local bar, a Moscow radio station and a Moscow newspaper sponsored what is being called the first ever "Vodka Drinking Competition".

Both men and women are allowed to participate with twenty-five finalists chosen from hundreds of applicants.

Finalists had to be generally healthy and devoid of the outward signs of alcoholism.

SOUNDBITE: (Russian)
"You have to train yourself for this kind of thing, and you have to actually be serious and not a drinker to succeed. I am really not a drinker but I am strong so I can handle it"
SUPER CAPTION: Svetlana Gundarenka, European Champion in Heavyweight Judo, and contestant in Vodka Drinking Competition

The contest may seem like harmless fun - but vodka drinking is more of a burden for Russia than a blessing.

A recent medical study found alcohol and binge drinking as the primary cause of Russia's shockingly low male mortality rate.

Most Russian men will die by age 58 -- and habitual vodka drinking is partly to blame.

But Russians have always taken pride in their alcohol prowess. Most feel that their tolerance for a good strong drink far exceeds that of a Westerner.

SOUNDBITE: (Russian)
"Russia is more accepting and tolerant of alcohol drinking than other countries West and South of Russia, I mean physically and metabolically. The further you go West the lower the alcohol tolerance. For instance from these doses of alcohol people in the West would have more disorders."
SUPER CAPTION: Pyotor Kamenchenko, doctor in charge of checking sobriety

With even the medical establishment trumpeting the joys of Vodka, it doesn't look like Russians are going to put down the bottle anytime soon.

But at least the participants at Saturday's contest experienced the lighter side of a drink that has brought Russia both joy and tragedy.

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