In an annual satirical competition in a resort town in northern Montenegro, seven contestants who broke the previous record are lying on cushions, vying for the coveted title of “Laziest Citizen”.
Last year's competition, held in the resort town of Brezna, set a record of 117 hours lying down, but as this year's competition entered its 20th day on Thursday, the remaining competitors said they were determined to keep going.
“We all feel good, perfect, we have no health problems, they spoil us, all we have to do is lie down,” said 2021 champion Dubravka Aksic, 38.
Radonja Blagojevic, the organizer and owner of the facility, said the competition was started 12 years ago in this small Adriatic country to ridicule a popular myth labeling Montenegrins as lazy.
He said the seven remaining competitors from the 21-man starting field have logged 463 hours so far.
The rules state that standing or sitting is considered a violation and grounds for immediate disqualification, but competitors are allowed 10 minutes every eight hours to go to the restroom.
Contestants can also read and use cell phones and laptops.
First-timer Filip Knezevic, 23, from the northern town of Mojkovac, said he was confident of victory and the 1,000 euros (1,070 $) prize.
“We have everything we need here, the camaraderie is great, time passes quickly,” he said.