10 Strange Olympic Sports You May Not Know Existed

The Olympic Games are a global spectacle known for bringing together the world’s top athletes to compete in a wide array of sports, ranging from traditional track and field events to more modern additions like BMX racing. 

However, over the years, the Olympics have also featured some rather unusual sports that might surprise those familiar only with its mainstream events. 

Here’s a look at ten of the oddest sports that have once graced the Olympic stage:

1. Solo Synchronised Swimming

 Introduced in the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics and phased out by 1992, solo synchronised swimming is an intriguing sport where a single swimmer performs routines in sync with music rather than with other swimmers.

2. Tug-of-War

Featured in the 1908 London Olympics, tug-of-war challenged teams to demonstrate their collective strength in a literal pull of war, a far cry from its current recreational status at social gatherings.

3. Roller Hockey

Unlike its popular icy counterpart, roller hockey made a singular Olympic appearance in 1992 in Barcelona but failed to secure a permanent spot, despite its dynamic gameplay.

4. Live Pigeon Shooting

Competitors targeted live pigeons at the 1900 Paris Olympics, leading to a controversial and blood-stained event. This was the first and last appearance of live pigeon shooting at the Olympics, replaced by clay targets in later shooting sports.

5. Swimming Obstacle Course

 Also at the 1900 Paris Games, swimmers faced a unique challenge as they navigated over and under boats and poles along the Seine, a stark contrast to today’s streamlined swimming competitions.

6. La Canne

 A French martial art featured at the 1924 Paris Olympics, La Canne involved competitors wielding wooden canes instead of fencing swords, adding a traditional twist to the combat sport.

7. Rope Climbing

Once a staple in physical education classes, rope climbing tested athletes’ speed and strength as they ascended a vertical rope. This sport made its Olympic debut in 1896 but was discontinued after the 1932 Games.

8. Club Swinging

 Originating in the 1904 St. Louis Olympics, club swinging involved athletes performing intricate routines with bowling pin-like clubs. This sport laid the groundwork for modern rhythmic gymnastic events involving ribbons and hoops.

9. Trampoline

 Launched as an Olympic sport in 2000, trampolining challenges gymnasts to perform acrobatic movements on a trampoline, scoring points for technique, execution, and complexity of manoeuvres.

10. Race Walking

Known for its unique requirement of keeping one foot on the ground at all times, race walking has been an official Olympic sport since 1904. The athletes’ peculiar gait, aimed at speeding without running, often draws both interest and amusement.