Organisers have defended an “Iron Stomach” event at an Irish university where contestants had
to suck beer through a sock.
A total of 10 undergrads consumed seven revolting courses at Dublin City University’s Enterprise Society annual eating contest on Thursday, in a bid to win a €100 Ryanair voucher.
One member of the audience, egged on by the crowd, reportedly downed a glass of his own vomit after being chosen to win a spot prize of a €15 food coupon.
The first course served to those on stage consisted of a can of lager that had to be drank out of the sock of the person to their left.
Other digusting dishes on the menu included a block of butter, baked beans to be eaten by hand and a challenge to suck a fish-soaked tampon.
At one point one of the hosts allegedly held back a student’s hair as she threw up, telling the contestants: “You can get sick as much as you want as long as you finish.” Afterwards an ESOC committee member said students were made aware of the menu and “there is no pressure for them to take part”.
ESOC chairwoman Ellen Lane added participants had to sign a consent form before going on stage. She said: “We don’t bring in drink to our event, it was just the first round.
“The purpose of the event was just a society exposure, engagement of all our members.”
One former DCU student, who wished to remain anonymous, said he regretted participating during his time in college, claiming he was “pressured into it” by people on his course.
He added: “Torturing myself to win prizes is never really worth it.”
