Olympic Edition, Sports 12 Strange Discontinued Olympic Events

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By: CoachingLife •  4 years ago •  

1

200M SWIMMING OBSTACLE RACE

 Competitors had to climb over a pole, then scramble over a row of boats, then swim under another row of boats. Only ever held once, and Australian Frederick Lane won it, knowing that the stern was the best way to get over a boat. Last seen: 1900

2

PLUNGE FOR DISTANCE SWIMMING EVENT

 Competitors made a standing dive, then had to remain motionless underwater for one minute, or until their heads broke the surface, whichever came first. Last seen: 1904

3

TUG OF WAR

 Each team of 8 had to pull the other team 6 feet along in order to win. Controversy reigned in 1908 when the Liverpool Police team competed in “enormous shoes, so heavy, in fact, it was with great effort they could lift their feet from the ground”. Last seen: 1920

4

LIVE PIGEON SHOOTING

 The first and only time live animals were killed on purpose in an Olympic event.

5

TWO-HANDED JAVELIN

 Competitors did not throw with both hands together, but had to throw separately with left and right hands, and the combined score determined the winner. Last seen: 1912

6

ROPE CLIMB

 As part of the Gymnastics program of the Olympics, competitors raced to the top of the rope in the shortest time possible. When it was first held, only two competitors reached the top of the rope! Last seen: 1932

7

UNDERWATER SWIMMING RACE

 Competitors were awarded points for every metre travelled and every second they stayed underwater. Last seen: 1900

8

CROQUET

 Only ever held once, and France won all the medals unsurprisingly due to the overwhelming amount of French competitors. It was not a success as only one spectator attended. Last seen: 1900

9

DUELLING PISTOL

 Competitors shot at human silhouettes dressed in frock coats with a bull’s eye on the chest. Last seen: 1906

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100M RUNNING DEER SHOOTING

 Shooting at a deer-shaped target that made 10×75 foot runs. Sweden has been the most successful country in this event. Last seen: 1948

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1

SOLO SYNCHRONISED SWIMMING

 A single person swimming to music. All alone. Can this really still be called synchronised swimming? Last seen: 1992

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2

ART COMPETITION

 Medals given in 5 categories: Architecture, Literature, Music, Painting and Sculpture. Only one person has won a gold medal for both the art and sports competition – Walter Winans (Running Deer and Sculpture). Last seen: 1948