Pig Olympics

SHANGHAI, China - These pigs run, jump, and swim - almost anything but fly. Thousands of Shanghai residents have turned out to a city park to watch a herd of pigs compete in what organizers are calling the ``Pig Olympics,'' the Shanghai Daily newspaper reported Tuesday.

They run over hurdles, jump through hoops, dive, and swim in shows twice a day, it said.

The pigs, a midget species from Thailand, begin training soon after birth and can begin performing professionally from about 1 year of age, Yang Ying, a manager with promoters Bluesea Broadway Co. Ltd. was quoted as saying.

``These lovely pigs are of a special species that is good at sports by nature,'' Yang said.

Pig races are common in many places, but heavily urban Shanghai offered few opportunities to see farm animals in action.

The report quoted primary students who visited the show a saying they were reconsidering their preconceptions of pigs as lazy and dull.

``It's incredible,'' said 8-year-old, Tan Yizhou, who had the honor of presenting a gold medal to one of the winning pigs. ``I never thought that a pig could be so clever, dexterous and versatile.''