Top 10 Weirdest Sports in Olympics

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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.