Parents Train Infants for Grueling Race

Madeline Holler — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 19:33:00 GMT

Uncovered: another bizarre annual tradition of exploiting babies for "good luck" or "fixed speech impediments" or, in this case, prizes. Where are the helmet-bearing, Purell-squirting American helicopter moms when the babies of the world need them?

MORE AFTER THE JUMP

These Lithuanian babies are taking part in an annual race to see which 9- to 12-month-old can crawl five meters the fastest. (What next? Toddler-fights?)

Moms wave toys and promise love to the child who gets to the finish line first. Parents deprived the entrants of cartoons and mornings at Gymboree in an effort to pack in arms and legs training, time trials and the like. The ill effects of this backward tradition show: just watch the winner's unbridled aggression during the awards ceremony. That bear didn't have a chance.

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Video: Reuters

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Parents Train Infants for Grueling Race