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Forget shelling out for tickets to the Olympics in Brazil, you can catch world champion athletes right here in London! Superstars of the boules world will be flying into Barnard Park, Islington, for The Londonaise – the capital's leading petanque comp. Boules, or petanque, is a traditionally French game, a bit similar to lawn bowls but with a throwing rather than a rolling action.
Belgium's Claudy Weibel is at the top of the petanque game, crowned World Champion 2015, he will be, literally, throwing down with teams travelling from Spain, France, Sweden and America. Despite the high level of players, the games are open to the public so if you fancy a share of the £4,500 total prize money get yourself a team, practice your boule grip and head to Barnard Park. The Friends of Barnard Park has organised live music, face painting and puppetry to coincide with Sundays competition so make a day of it and have a boule.
Saturday June 4 is for doubles teams and starts at 1pm. Entry costs £10 per team. Sunday June 5 is for triples teams and starts at 9am. Entry costs £30 per team (also covers entry to Saturday).
Wanna throw some balls? Here are the best places to play boules in London.