10 of the most unusual Olympic sports
Who knew that rope climbing was an Olympic sport in the early days?!
Following the announcement that five new sports will be added to the Tokyo Olympics in 2020 we thought we'd look back at some of the more unusual sports that have been part of the Olympics over the years.
1. Solo Synchronised Swimming
Normally you'd think of synchronised swimming to be a team event, but between 1984 and 1992 competitors could take part in solo synchronised swimming! It seems a bit contradictory, but the idea was to keep in time with the music, rather than teammates as you would normally.
Men were not allowed to compete in solo synchronised swimming - they are also not allowed to compete in (team) synchronised swimming.
2. Distance Plunging
This unusual sport only took place at the 1904 Olympics and was only open to men and as it turned out it was only Americans who competed. The event consisted of athletes diving into a pool, then coasting under the water without moving their limbs! After 60 seconds, or the competitor had reached the surface, the distance was measured.
3. Croquet
In 1900 the Olympics in Paris played host to the one and only croquet event, it was also one of the first Olympic events women could participate in.
4. Dueling Pistols
Just like something out of the wild west, in the 1906 Intercalated Olympic Games (half-way between what is now known as the Games of the Olympiad), dueling was an event! However competitors shot at plaster dummies dressed in coats rather than other competitors for obvious reasons. Although the event only took place once a survey before the Sydney 2000 Games found that 32% wanted to see the sport revived!
5. Tug of War
Tug of war appeared at the Olympics in 1900 and lasted until 1920! Each team consisted of eight men who had to pull the rope six feet to win. The British team were particularly good at this event winning two golds and one silver over the years.
6. Rope Climb
The Rope Climb was first introduced in 1896 for the first Modern Olympics and was included right up until 1932. Contestants were originally judged on their style and speed, but later just their speed on getting to the top of the rope. In 1904 the US gymnast George Eyser won gold despite having a wooden leg!
7. Real Tennis (Jeu de Paume) Not to be confused with Lawn Tennis which most people are familiar with, Real Tennis is played indoors and appeared in the 1908 Olympics. Players originally used their hands to hit the ball, hence the French name which translates literally as 'palm game'. Gloves and racquets were later introduced to the game.
- Razorlight' British singer Johnny Borrell plays Jeu de Paume | © PA Images*
8. Horse Long Jump
In the 1900 Paris Olympics horse long jump made its debut, similar to human long jump the horse was expected to jump as far as it could, however the winning leap was a measly 6.10 meters, compared to the world record for long jump by a human which is 8.95 meters!
9. One handed weightlifting
In 1896 one handed weightlifting made its first appearance returning in 1904 and 1906. As you would expect it involved the contestants (all male) picking up weights with just one hand. They had to lift with each hand individually and the winner was determined from the combined score of both hands.
10. 200m Obstacle Swimming Race
This intriguing event took place in the Paris Games of 1900. Contestants had to had to climb over the first two obstables, (a pole and a row of boats) and then swim under the third (another row of boats)!