Olympics are one of the biggest and prestigious game events in the world. However, the Olympics have seemed to evolve. With different sports losing their popularity, many games that were once a part of this prestigious event are, now, nowhere to be found. Let’s look at some of the weirdest sports games that were a part of the Olympics until a few decades ago.
1. Tug-Of-War
The grade school game we grew up playing was a part of the Olympics game timeline from 1900-1920. The team consisted of eight players on each side of the rope, and the side which pulled its opponents the furthest would be the winner. The controversy attached to this sport was seen in the 1908 games. Britain took the gold home despite the protests that the Brits wore illegal footwear.
2. Live Pigeon Shooting
The questionable game, which only lasted one Olympics in the 1900 Paris Games, was live pigeon shooting. The competitors had to shoot live birds. In case the competitor missed two shots, they would be eliminated. In a single event, nearly 300 birds were ultimately killed. Following the protests from the animal rights activists, the live pigeons were replaced with clay ones in the subsequent games.
3. Obstacle Swim
Another game that was the highlight of the 1900 Olympics was obstacle swim. The competition required swimmers to climb over and under the hurdles to swim across a 200 meters course.
4. Rope Climb
The Rope Climb made its Olympic debut in 1896. The climbers were judged on their time and style as they climbed up a 14-meter-long rope. The last Rope Climb game in an Olympic event was in the 1932 Summer Games in Los Angeles.
5. Standing Jump High
This game ran its course from 1900-1912. The game made the contestants jump as high as they can in hopes of creating a record.
6. Arts Competition
The Art Competition included both performance and fine arts and ran its course from 1912-1948. In 1948, 25 different countries sent their artists to compete in the Olympics. Later, the category was removed as the majority of artists competing were professionals.
7. Running Deer Shooting
Unlike pigeon shooting, Running Deer Shooting used cardboard cutouts of deer with three concentric targets. The deer moved quickly while the shooters took two allotted shots at each of them.
8. Bowling
Bowling was in the lineup among the 1988 and 1996 Olympic Games. However, in this age and era, bringing back bowling is a piece of cake since we have exceptional bowlers worldwide.
9. Motor Racing
There were only two Olympic Games where motorsports were part of the program – cars in 1900 and boats in 1908.
10. Croquet
This sport ran its course from 1900-04. Safe to say that this fun game featured many older adults, making the Olympics an age-friendly event.
Do let us know which game did you never expect to see on the list.
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