10 Weirdest Olympic Sports
The moment for which the whole world was waiting has just arrived, as the London Olympics 2012 have started on July 27th, 2012. It is time to see some of the most dedicated and trained sports professionals who are going to display their skills and endurance in this year Olympics. This year Olympics will feature nearly 26 sports. Not to forget, that there are a few sports that could not make it to the Olympics. It can be said that they were in fact too odd or weird to be included in the Olympics. Another explanation can be the fact that for a sport to qualify for the Olympics must be played in more than 50 % of the world countries. At one time or the other, these sports have been included in the past Olympics. Read onwards, to have an idea about the 10 weird Olympic sports ever.
10. Live Pigeon Shooting-1900
At number 10 we have one of the weirdest and wacky sports that were formerly played in the Olympics. This bloody and so called sporting event was held only once in the year 1900, at the Paris Olympics. Nearly 300 poor birds were killed during all the competitions, leaving feathers covered in blood all around. The only probable reason for which this sport was excluded from the Olympics was the fact that it happened to be the only sport that involved the killing of animals, which is no doubt quite inhumane.
9. Kabaddi-1936
This sport is mostly and popularly played in the regions of South Asia in the form of a team. As the game starts, one member from the opponent team goes into the half of the other team, and tries to tag an opponent in order to earn points. After which he tries to return to his own half of the field. One reason for the exclusion of this sport was the fact that it was not played all around the world.
8. 12 Hour Bicycle Race (1896)
Considered to be one of the toughest and most demanding sports to be ever played in the Olympics, The 12 Hour Bicycle race was only held in the year 1896. The race had started at 5 am and finished at 5pm, but what’s more bizarre is that four riders had dropped off close to the noon. In the end it was Adolf Schmal who managed to win the race along with one other person. Only these two were able to cross the finishing line.
7. Tug of War-1900-1920
This sport is more like a gym sport, rather than an Olympic sport. But what’s more weird is the fact it was one of the first sports to be played in the Olympic Games in 500 B.C. In the modern version of the game, each game has 8 members and in order to win they must pull the opponent team to towards the marked line. If none of them is able to pull the other 6 feet towards themselves, then the one team which manages to pull the other one is declared the winner.
6. Rope Climbing-1896, 1904, 1906, 1924 and 1932cialis sale
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This event had played in the Olympics in the above mentioned years, but is no longer played. This game was indeed a hard test of the upper body power, as only hands were used in it. In the last Olympics the rope used to be nearly 25 feet long. The reasons for which the sport was excluded are not clear, but there is no doubt in saying that it was quite an unusual game.
5. Dueling Pistols-1906 and 1912
This game was marked by shooting moving figures in order to score points in the game, just like the police officers do in order to hone their skills. The participants did not sheet each other as might sound from the name of the sport, but in fact they fired on dressed and colored mannequins.
4. La Canne-1924
La Canne is more like a martial art game, but the only difference lies in the use of a cane or canne in order to fight the opponent. Believed to be originated from France, this sport was included in the Olympics only once i.e. in the year 1924. The strokes are bound to be made horizontally or vertically and each of the competitors is also allowed to change hands as the bout starts. In order to win a point each shot must be clearly landed without any sabering.
3. Roller Hockey-1992
Yes, this game is more or less similar to ice hockey. The only minor difference lies in the usage of roller skates. In the year 1992, it was also played in order to demonstrate the sport in which Argentina had managed to take the gold medal. It is normally played on a dry surface among two teams. Two groups of the team had been made in which a total of 120 players belonging to 12 different countries had played. The whole event was divided into a number of rounds and groups.
2. Club Swinging-1932
At number 2 we have yet another weird and wacky game which was only played in the 1932 Olympic Games. In this game, the competitors were required to whirl the clubs all around their body in varying movements.
1. Swimming Obstacle Race-1900
This game was more like a combination of swimming and obstacle in which the competitors were required to scramble over a row of boats and under the row of boats. The entire event was held in the Seine River. In addition, they were also required to have to face the currents.
Categories: Weird/Odd
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