Egypt's camel racers hope to spur tourism
Ismailia's annual camel race kicked off with much international fanfare and hopes for a boost in Egypt's tourism sector.
Not long after sunrise, a camel race kicked off in the Egyptian city of Ismailia, 115 kilometers (71 miles) east of Cairo. About 150 camels pressed their noses against a metal barrier before receiving a signal from a man wearing a white galabiya, or traditional robe, to move forward.
The camels, urged on by young jockeys, sprinted toward their first turn on a desert racetrack as the huge audience, filled with enthusiasts from across the globe and representatives from Arab tribes, watched on.
Ismailia's annual camel race took place on March 21-22 and attracted participants from 13 Arab countries as well as fans from France, Germany, Italy and Austria.
As the camels raced, a convoy of cars sped alongside them. The camels competed in a variety of races, ranging from 3 to 15 kilometers (1.8-9 miles), as well as three laps along a 5-kilometer (3-mile) circuit.
