Most Bizarre Olympic Events
I think most of you are aware of my slightly-to-very unhealthy Olympics obsession. And it's about to start up again. So, the press is telling us that the Sochi Olympics may be frightening on many levels because of the city's apparent lack of readiness to host an Olympics. There are also lists out there that rename the Olympic events such that luge is now Ice-Slide, curling is now Ice Bocce, and skeleton is Face-First Ice Slide. However, there have been some interesting Olympics on the books, and some of them are because of the events that they decided to have at those Olympics. There are a lot of past Olympic sports that are sports, like Lacrosse, cricket, baseball, polo, rugby. But then, there are some bizarre ones. So, I present 20 Bizarre Former Olympic Events. Some of these need to stay former; some should make a comeback, in my opinion.
1. Tug-of-War: From the 1900 Olympics to the 1920 Olympics, Tug-of-War was a real event. The best part is that in the 1900 Olympics, Sweden and Denmark formed an alliance to make sure that France got defeated. They achieved their goal. I don't think I'd mind this being a real event, though.
2. Hot Air Ballooning: At the 1900 Paris Olympics, hot air ballooning was an event. Competitors were given points based on duration, distance and elevation. There was also a targetted stopping event.
3. Kite Flying: The 1900 Paris Olympics also had kite flying as an event
4.Firefighting: The 1900 Paris Olympics were weird. Portugal won the Volunteer Division, and the US won the Professional Division.
5. Bandy: At the 1952 Oslo Olympics, bandy was a sport. I've been trying to really figure what it is, and from what I can tell, it's like field hockey on ice skates (like a ball, not puck) with soccer rules.
6. Water skiing: In the 1972 Munich Olympics, there was waterskiing. The best thing? There was a figure waterskiing event. That sounds cool. It was discontinued because they didn't think it took real athleticism? Really? I disagree with that statement, but then compare it to some of the ones to come.
7. Ski Ballet: My sister introduced me to the fact that ski ballet is a real thing. And it was an Olympic sport in 1988 and 1992. This one, should make a comeback.
8. Swimming Obstacle Course: Again, those darn 1900 Paris Olympics. It took place in the Seine, and swimmers swam around, over, under boats, and climbed poles and all sorts of stuff.
9. Le Canne: It's fencing. With canes. Like picture Founding Fathers fighting in the Constitutional Convention. And at the 1924 Olympics (also in Paris...), it was an Olympic sport. Really? Does the IOC just introduce bizarre sports whenever Paris hosts for their own enjoyment? Just to laugh at Paris?
10. Rope Climbing: It's like gym class. Okay, I have to be honest, we only had to do that once, and they only made us try. But, until 1932, it was an Olympic Sport.
11. Poodle clipping: Take a guess at when? That's right, 1900 Paris Olympics
12. Plunging: At the 1904 St. Louis Olympics (not 1900 Paris!), competitors jumped into a pool, and then you swim for a minute, or until your head pops out of water and then whoever had traveled the farthest from the jumping point wins.
13. Kabaddi: At the 1936 Berlin Olympics, there was an Event called Kabaddi. I'm still trying to figure out exactly how it works. But from what I can tell, you chase someone across a field and then tackle to the ground, and then run back across the field, but you have to hold your breath. I'm not really sure.
14. Delivery Van Driving: I'm not even going to tell you which Olympics. Just guess. It's the bizarre one. France got most of the medals. The US won a bronze in the small truck event, and the Germans got a bronze in large car distance. Other than, the French.
15. Skijoring: So, you get on skis, and then you get pulled by dogs or horses or a motorized vehicle. At the 1928 St. Moritz Olympics, it was horses. And Switzerland won every single medal.
Honorable Mention, because it's still an event:
Biathlon: I've never really understood why we're shooting while skiing, but it's an Olympic sport.
Which do you think is the best of these Olympic sports?
1. Tug-of-War: From the 1900 Olympics to the 1920 Olympics, Tug-of-War was a real event. The best part is that in the 1900 Olympics, Sweden and Denmark formed an alliance to make sure that France got defeated. They achieved their goal. I don't think I'd mind this being a real event, though.
2. Hot Air Ballooning: At the 1900 Paris Olympics, hot air ballooning was an event. Competitors were given points based on duration, distance and elevation. There was also a targetted stopping event.
3. Kite Flying: The 1900 Paris Olympics also had kite flying as an event
4.Firefighting: The 1900 Paris Olympics were weird. Portugal won the Volunteer Division, and the US won the Professional Division.
5. Bandy: At the 1952 Oslo Olympics, bandy was a sport. I've been trying to really figure what it is, and from what I can tell, it's like field hockey on ice skates (like a ball, not puck) with soccer rules.
6. Water skiing: In the 1972 Munich Olympics, there was waterskiing. The best thing? There was a figure waterskiing event. That sounds cool. It was discontinued because they didn't think it took real athleticism? Really? I disagree with that statement, but then compare it to some of the ones to come.
7. Ski Ballet: My sister introduced me to the fact that ski ballet is a real thing. And it was an Olympic sport in 1988 and 1992. This one, should make a comeback.
8. Swimming Obstacle Course: Again, those darn 1900 Paris Olympics. It took place in the Seine, and swimmers swam around, over, under boats, and climbed poles and all sorts of stuff.
9. Le Canne: It's fencing. With canes. Like picture Founding Fathers fighting in the Constitutional Convention. And at the 1924 Olympics (also in Paris...), it was an Olympic sport. Really? Does the IOC just introduce bizarre sports whenever Paris hosts for their own enjoyment? Just to laugh at Paris?
10. Rope Climbing: It's like gym class. Okay, I have to be honest, we only had to do that once, and they only made us try. But, until 1932, it was an Olympic Sport.
11. Poodle clipping: Take a guess at when? That's right, 1900 Paris Olympics
12. Plunging: At the 1904 St. Louis Olympics (not 1900 Paris!), competitors jumped into a pool, and then you swim for a minute, or until your head pops out of water and then whoever had traveled the farthest from the jumping point wins.
13. Kabaddi: At the 1936 Berlin Olympics, there was an Event called Kabaddi. I'm still trying to figure out exactly how it works. But from what I can tell, you chase someone across a field and then tackle to the ground, and then run back across the field, but you have to hold your breath. I'm not really sure.
14. Delivery Van Driving: I'm not even going to tell you which Olympics. Just guess. It's the bizarre one. France got most of the medals. The US won a bronze in the small truck event, and the Germans got a bronze in large car distance. Other than, the French.
15. Skijoring: So, you get on skis, and then you get pulled by dogs or horses or a motorized vehicle. At the 1928 St. Moritz Olympics, it was horses. And Switzerland won every single medal.
Honorable Mention, because it's still an event:
Biathlon: I've never really understood why we're shooting while skiing, but it's an Olympic sport.
Which do you think is the best of these Olympic sports?
Comments
Cross Country skiing is highly aerobic. Fine accuracy with a rifle requires carefully controlled breathing. So the requirements of the sport are at odds with each other. Any missed targets puts you on an extra penalty loop complicating your performance at the next set of targets.