Wizolympics 2020: Expedition Wandless Overview

Hypatia Shilling-Shaw of the Daily Prophet here with everything you need to know about the original Wizolympics event: Expedition Wandless. The Wizolympics was created after three bold wizards, disappointed by their poor performance against Muggles in the Olympics, challenged themselves to survive without wands in the wilderness for two weeks. Even in modern times, we wizards tend to be all too reliant on our wands, so Expedition Wandless provides an opportunity for each participating nation to prove their ability to achieve without resorting to magic.

The teams will begin at Naha on the island of Okinawa at dawn on July 25 and need to cross the finish line at Kahaku Dome in Tokyo by sundown on August 8, giving them the full 15 days of the Games. They each have a budget of ¥35,000 and a cellular telephone with their destination preprogrammed into something called “Google Maps” (a Muggle tracking service of some sort). Each team member may carry a bag weighing up to 50 pounds (22.68 kilograms). They are allowed to travel by Muggle modes of transportation only, including walking, car, bus, train, boat, or bicycle. No Apparition, no brooms, no Floo powder, no Portkeys, and no wands.

Points will be awarded based on finishing order and completion of tasks. The first team to arrive at Kahaku Dome receives 31 points, second gets 24, third gets 17, and so on, decreasing by 7 points down to -11 for the final team to arrive. Along the way, they must complete four mandatory tasks, one of each level (easy for 5 points, medium for 10, hard for 15, and extreme for 20), and will gain bonus points for additional tasks. Mandatory tasks include keeping at least one of three technological creatures known as Tamagotchis alive, making origami, participating in a Japanese tea ceremony, and using a device that dispenses refreshments called a vending machine. Bonus points will also be awarded based on exuberance, flair, friendliness, style, creativity, sportsmanship, and other qualities as the judges see fit.

Seven countries will compete in teams of three:

• Australia, represented by Bridgette Carnabey and her twin children, Daniel Carnabey and Dora Carnabey
• Canada, represented by Jerald Desjardins, Courtney Jenkins, and Kit Jonny
• Germany, represented by Franz Schmidt, Kornelius Klaus, and Helga Von Trapp
• India, represented by Aamir Gupta, Rahul Nagra, and Divya Ravi
• The Philippines, represented by Rose Dimanno, Roderick Goson, and Simone Santiago
• The United Kingdom, represented by Femi Emezi, Dwight Reginald, and Carnation Willoughby-Myers
• The United States, represented by Agamemnon Abste, Alejandra Ramírez, and Thomas Takechi

Temporary Traces have been placed on athletes to ensure no magic is used illegally. Teams will be tracked so that judges can meet them to evaluate tasks. We’ll be providing regular updates on their progress, so check back to follow your favorite team and see how they’re doing! Good luck, and may the best team win.