The event will see semen samples from 128 men, each representing a different country, compete on a microscopic race track in San Francisco next month, according to major media reports. Competitors will not appear in person; they will mail semen samples to California. The sperm will race on a microfluidic track measuring 400 microns (0.02 inches). The race will be broadcast live with magnified footage and health data of competitors. Previous test races have shown some sperm taking over 40 minutes to complete the course, co-founder Shane Fan said.
The contest is designed to raise awareness about male fertility and declining sperm counts, organisers said. The same team staged a smaller sperm race in Los Angeles last April with two college students competing for a $10,000 prize. Applicants are being assessed to find the 'healthiest' man from each nation, according to Fan, who told Daily Mail - Health that they aim to find the healthiest person possible for each country.