France’s ‘Flying Dwarf’ Wins Court’s Support

“Flying dwarf” Manuel Wackenheim will resume his job of being hurled across barrooms next month after successfully appealing against a government ban, his agents said Tuesday.

They said a French court effectively annulled an Interior Ministry prohibition against dwarf-throwing, which is believed to have originated in Australian drinking spots and consists of throwing a dwarf as far as possible across a barroom.

Interior Minister Philippe Marchand told regional government representatives late last year to ask local mayors to ban the “sport” in their towns on grounds it was degrading.

The 25-year-old Wackenheim appealed against the order before a Versailles court, alleging it deprived him of his livelihood, and the order was ruled unconstitutional.