Flashes of Panic

1 medium-sized stadium with metal seating
4 tightly-scheduled days of competition
1,000-plus keyed-up athletes (or, one heaping kilo-trackie)
1 persistent lightning storm

Prepare stadium and schedule days well in advance. Select athletes carefully and have ready at least four days in advance. Add a large portion of athletes, first day, and lightning storm to stadium. The resulting mixture should spread over remaining days.

Optional: At any point in the process, add hotel fire alarms to taste.