Oddest Sports In Olympic History

Rishika Baranwal

Tug of War (1900-1920)

Teams pulled on a rope in this strength-based event, now removed from the Olympics.

Solo Synchronized Swimming (1984)

This twist on synchronized swimming featured solo performances, but didn’t last long.

Underwater Swimming (1900)

Athletes swam underwater for distance, a challenging and short-lived event.

Horse Long Jump (1900)

Horses jumped over a distance, combining equestrian skills with long jumping.

Live Pigeon Shooting (1900)

Competitors shot real pigeons, a practice deemed inhumane and quickly discontinued.

Plunge for Distance (1904)

Swimmers dived and glided underwater for the longest distance, a unique but fleeting event.