Have
you ever wonder the first few sports that were introduced in first
Olympic event in 1896? You might laugh them off, but based on the
history, there were few of them that you have never known at all because
of various technical and uncompetitive reasons that they people behind
the Olympics events just rid them off permanently. In fact, in the
recognized commencement of Olympics, men were the only participants and
later they picked some sports that they can include women, until it has
finally acknowledged the role of women in a very competitive, tough, and
physical sport activities. On this list, you could judge why these 10 weirdest sports in Olympics were totally removed from the competition while others are still included or numbered in their main sport events.
10. Live pigeon shooting (1900)
The 1900 Olympics held in Paris had received number of weirdest sports
that were totally disbanded, and never included in all of its major
competitions. The reason why it was discontinued because the intention
of killing animals had received various criticisms across the globe
wherein the International Olympic Committee has approved to totally
scrape this sport immediately.
9. Tug of War (1900)
It
was first introduced in 1900 in Paris Olympics and continued until 1920
wherein Britain became popular in this type of sport because they had
mastered it. In fact, they have received the number of medals against
other participating countries. This is commonly played in grade schools,
church activities, and during team building.
8. La Canne (1924)
This
is actually comparable to a fencing sport, but participants were using
cane instead of a sabre. It’s more of a walking stick description which
became known as French Martial Art La Canne which was introduced in the
1924 Olympics.
7. Tandem Bicycle Sprint (1906)
It was introduced in 1906 and has been included on the primary sports
until 1972 wherein the mechanics of this sport was a partnership of
two-man teams who are seated on the two-seater bicycles and start
racing. The team who would be able to reach the 2,000-meter course will
be declared as winners.
6. Club Swinging (1904)
It
was only included twice in Olympics 1904 and ended in 1932. It was
considered as rhythmic gymnastics because the participating athlete had
to stand straight while holding clubs which have resemblance to bowling
pins. The athlete would start doing complicated routines through twirls
and whirls wherein a standard point system was used to determine the
counting of the points.
5. Race Walking (1904)
To
those who are not familiar on the sports being played in each Olympic
event, this race walking has been in the history since 1904. In fact,
you could still see this sport in the upcoming London Olympics 2012. It
is indeed weird because you could have the marathon, and other racing
type of sport. The only difference, the participating athletes will not
run wherein they have to keep their one foot on the ground otherwise
they will be disqualified.
4. Solo Synchronized Swimming (1984)
It
is one of the weirdest sports for all triathlon athletes and swimmers
because the competition focused solely for individual athletes. It was
introduced in 1984 and had been played in 19888 and 1992. The
participants would do choreographed routines in the water which must be
synchronized to the music. It was part of the women sport wherein the
rule of the game that the dance routine in the pool is synchronized by
the athletes themselves.
3. Rope climb (1896)
It
was present in four different Olympics from 1896 until 1932. The rope
used was 15 meters long and the rule was to climb up to the pole based
on the speed before an athlete be declared as a winner. Greece was noted
to be the consistent champion in this sport.
2. Plunge For Distance (Diving) (1904)
It
was also known as plunge diving which was part of the 1904 Olympic
events. The rule stated from the Official Swimming Guide is the person
needs to stand in a stationary take-off from 18 inches height before
diving and land to the water where the plunging glides must be performed
within a minute or 60 seconds.
1. Swimming Obstacle Race (1900)
This is another weirdest sport
included in 1900 Paris Olympics wherein swimmers would have to swim in
the 200 meters while doing in between the climbing over a pole, rowing
of boats, swimming again, then going through another row of boats which
actually served as obstacles during the swimming obstacle race.
