Top 10 Weirdest Olympics Sports Of All Time

The next Olympics are the 2024 Paris Summer Games, set to run from July 26 to August 11, 2024. In last olympics we saw surfing, skateboarding, sport climbing and karate introduced, along with the return of baseball after its last appearance in 2008’s Bejiing Olympics.

With the new sports making the cut, we started thinking about the ones that didn’t.

How many odd Olympic sports have been omitted from today’s lineup over the years?

The following are some of the most hilarious, ludicrous, or odd activities for which people have received medals…

1. Rope Climbing

Rope climbing was really part of the gymnastics programming at the Olympics in 1896, 1906, 1924, and 1932.

Initially, participants were evaluated on speed and style, but in later years, medals were handed to those who reached the summit first – the sole regulation being no legs permitted.

2. Live Pigeon Shooting

The first of two trigger-happy events on this list, as well as one of several that only lasted a year during the 1900 Paris Games.

Instead of clay pigeons, the organisers chose live pigeons to “contest” with that year.

Around 300 birds were allegedly killed during the event, which involved holding live birds and releasing them into the air for contestants to shoot.

3. Race Walking

Race walking has all the regulations and less of the enjoyment of walking, so it’s not a relaxed stroll.

Competitors must maintain constant touch with the ground, maintaining the leading leg straight from the time the foot makes contact with the ground until the leg passes under the body.

Here’s a video explaining how it works:

A precise sport that tests the bodies to their limits.

4. Tug-of-War

Traditional Olympics sometimes sound like giant international picnic, especially when you consider that Tug-of-War used to be a popular event.

It appeared for the first time at the Paris Olympic Games in 1900 and was featured on the events list until 1920.

Eight-man teams – often made up with competitors from different countries – had to pull their opponents six feet to win, or make the most progress within five minutes.

The British team was made up of mostly police officers and was actually one of the strongest, winning two gold medals and one silver while the event was around.

5. Swimming Obstacle Course

The Paris Olympics included a swimming obstacle event in 1900.

Like any other swimming competition, there were three hurdles to overcome, including pole climbing and swimming beneath boats.

Because the contest was performed in a river, competitors would most likely use trash and sewage as obstacles in current times.

6. Dueling Pistols

The Paris Olympics included a swimming obstacle event in 1900.

Like any other swimming competition, there were three hurdles to overcome, including pole climbing and swimming beneath boats.

Because the contest was performed in a river, competitors would most likely use trash and sewage as obstacles in current times.

7. Hot Air Ballooning

Hot air ballooning was included in the 1900 Olympic Games as a demonstration event rather than an official sport.

Competitors were rated and awarded points based on factors such as distance, time, and elevation.

If this sport ever makes a reappearance, the Olympians may need to click their heels three times or pray for a return to Oz.

8. Horse Long Jump

The horse long jump was included as an event at the 1900 Paris Games.

Even while the winning leap from Belgium’s Constant van Langendonck, who was riding the Extra Dry, was a stunning 6.10 metres, it paled in comparison to the humans who took the same risk.

It failed to impress and was removed from the schedule, as was the horse high jump…

If this event were to return, the horses will face stiff competition:

9. Solo Synchronized Swimming

The name itself seems incongruous. If you’re swimming alone, who are you syncing with?

According to event supporters, the synchronisation is with the music.

It was an official event in 1984, 1988, and 1992 before being incorporated into a team event and never looked back.

10. Town Planning

Medals were awarded for, hmm, town planning at the four Olympic games held between 1928 and 1948.

It fell in the architectural design category of the Olympics’ artistic component.

The even odd aspect is that the city’s parks department picked a different concept instead of a silver medal winning layout for the Marine Park in Brooklyn.

With current urbanisation, this event might undoubtedly benefit from a revival!

Also Read: The 11 Biggest Sporting Legends of All Time (sportsdigest.in)