12 unusual competitions that were once held at the Olympic Games (14 photos)

The first modern Olympic Games took place in 1896 in Athens. That is, both then and later it was already possible to capture competitions in photographs, which will help us see evidence of the existence of all the listed strange species from our list.



On July 23, the XXXII Summer Olympic Games, postponed for a year, will begin in Tokyo. The Olympic program will feature 33 sports, including skateboarding competitions for the first time in history. However, modern Olympic disciplines have one thing in common - they are all too normal. And before, it happened wow! Let's take a moment to dive into history and remember what eccentric sports were also part of the Olympic program, but in the distant past.

1. Pistol duel







The discipline was on the program at the 1908 Olympics in Rome, but among the unofficial demonstration events. That is, not for medals. The shooters' pistols were loaded with wax, and the athletes themselves were covered with protection.

2. Tug of war



The most popular discipline was included in the main program of the Olympic Games from 1900 to 1920.

3. Basque pelota



It was included in the program of the 1900 Olympics in Paris.

The Basque pelota court has high walls at the front, left and back, and the right side of the court is reserved for spectators. Players on one team (2 people) throw a small hard ball at the front wall, while the opponents must hit the ball in the air or on the first bounce from the ground. If the opponents do not hit the ball against the wall, the first team players receive a point. They deflect the projectiles with a special racket-trap.

4. Scuba diving



It was included in the program of the 1900 Olympic Games in Paris, but later this event was abolished for reasons, funny enough, of low entertainment value and, accordingly, lack of spectator interest. The photo shows how exciting the competition in this discipline looked.

5. Long-distance diving



They were on the program at the 1904 Olympics in St. Louis.

Athletes dived into the pool from a standing position and had to stay underwater for as long as possible without moving their bodies. As soon as the swimmer's face was above the water, the judge stopped measuring the distance.

6. Rope climbing



The discipline was present at the Olympic Games from 1896 to 1932. And yes, the sports ground in Athens in 1896 looked like a gallows.

7. Single synchronized swimming



Present at three Olympics from 1984 to 1992, then the organizers decided that at least two people should swim synchronously.

8. Tandem



This format of cycling racing was introduced at the 1908 Olympics in Rome, and then was a stable part of the Games from 1920 to 1972.

9. Balloon racing



The competition was part of the most fun Olympics in the history of 1900 in Paris and, of course, was a demonstration event.

10. Push with one hand



This type of weightlifting lasted at the Olympics from 1986 to 1906 (when the Extraordinary Summer Olympic Games were held in Athens). The results of the athletes demonstrated by both hands were summed up.

11. Ski ballet



Ski ballet, a choreographic form of skiing, has appeared as a demonstration event at two Olympic Games: the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary and the 1992 Winter Olympics in Albertville.

12. Art competitions



Drawings from the 1928 Olympics in Amsterdam, for which Olympic medals were also given.

They were held from 1912 to 1948 on the initiative of one of the main organizers of the revival of the Olympic Games, Pierre de Coubertin, who pointed out the importance of the original beauty of the Ancient Games. Categories included architecture, sculpture, music, painting and literature.

For example, Pierre de Coubertin himself (speaking under a pseudonym) received a gold medal in literature at the Olympics in 1912 for his “Ode to Sports.”