In an unusual event aimed at raising awareness about declining male fertility, Los Angeles will host the world’s first-ever Sperm Race on the 25th of this month. The event, organized by a startup called Sperm Racing, will take place at the Hollywood Palladium and is expected to draw around 1,000 attendees.
In the race, sperm samples will compete on a microscopic track designed to resemble the female reproductive system. Using high-resolution imaging, the samples will race across a 20 cm track. Human sperm typically swim at about 5 millimeters per minute, so the race could last anywhere from a few minutes to an hour. The winner is the sperm that reaches the finish line first.
Organizers say the race is to highlight the alarming 50% decline in global sperm counts over the last 50 years. It’s certainly a quirky way to shine a light on a serious issue!