Top 7 Rarest Sports Events in the Olympics That Happened
Well sports world is just like anything else, having its unique twists and turns, and has its variety in sports. I am not just talking about weird sports, but sports that were actually part of one of the most prestigious sports events, the Olympics. So without any further ado, let’s see about the Top 7 Rarest Sports Events in the Olympics That Happened.
Top 7 Rarest Sports Events in the Olympics That Happened
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1️⃣ Live Pigeon Shooting – (Paris 1900)
Introduced by: The French Olympic Organizing Committee, with backing from IOC founder Pierre de Coubertin, who wanted to showcase French traditions.
Believe it or not, the 1900 Paris Olympics featured a real bird-killing contest. Shooters aimed at live pigeons released mid-air. Over 300 birds were killed in a single day.
Public outrage followed soon after, and organizers halted its addition in any future games. This remains the only Olympic event where animals were deliberately harmed. Not sure why we needed this, but we still got this, Paris 1900 was really unhinged, as you will see more.
💡 Legacy: Live pigeon shooting was quickly banned and replaced by clay target shooting in future Games.
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2️⃣ Solo Synchronized Swimming – (1984 to 1992)
Introduced by: The Los Angeles Olympic Organizing Committee, endorsed by the IOC Artistic Swimming Committee.
Synchronized swimming usually means coordination between two or more athletes. But for three Olympic Games, one swimmer performed choreographed routines alone to music.
Critics argued it defeated the purpose of being “synchronized.” While performers showcased artistic flair, audiences found it confusing. It’s like me dancing on a beat without any choreography at all (maybe…).
💡 Legacy: After 1992, the event was retired and replaced with team and duet events that actually involved synchrony.
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3️⃣ Tug of War – (1900 to 1920)
Introduced by: Included under the International Athletic Congress in 1894 and part of the athletics programme in the early Olympics.
Yes, that backyard favorite (played in every school’s sports event) was once an official Olympic event! Teams of eight pulled with brute strength to drag opponents across a line.
It appeared in five Olympic Games and even led to disputes, including a controversy over teams wearing improper shoes!
💡 Legacy: Despite its popularity, tug of war was dropped as the IOC streamlined the Olympic schedule in the 1920s.
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4️⃣ Running Deer Shooting – (1908)
Introduced by: Scandinavian and British shooting federations, particularly popularized by Sweden and Norway.
In this event, shooters fired at a moving deer-shaped target that dashed across the range.
It was meant to simulate real-life hunting skills. While technically impressive, it lacked broader appeal and soon fell out of favor. (Audience be like “hit that moving target man”).
💡 Legacy: Running deer events were phased out by the mid-20th century in favor of more accessible shooting formats.
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5️⃣ Jeu de Paume – (Paris 1900)
Introduced by: France, who considered it a showcase of traditional courtly sport and cultural heritage.
Also known as “real tennis,” this aristocratic (high-level/elite) game was a step towards modern tennis. It involved complex rules, enclosed courts, and unusual scoring methods.
Held only once in 1900, it baffled audiences and never returned.
💡 Legacy: The sport was too elite, expensive, and unfamiliar to most audiences. It was never brought back. Modern tennis made its Olympic debut in 1988.
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6️⃣ Horse Long Jump – (Paris 1900)
Introduced by: The French equestrian association, during a time of experimental Olympic programming.
Yes, horses were once judged on how far they could leap horizontally, like their human counterparts in track and field. The winning jump was just 6.10 meters—shorter than a typical long jumper today.
Though innovative, it proved to be impractical and difficult to standardize. (We still have animals (horses/dogs) doing some routines like obstacle course, but not a long jump at the very least).
💡 Legacy: Horse sports were refined into dressage, show jumping, and eventing in later editions.
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7️⃣ Rope Climbing – (1896 to 1932)
Introduced by: Greece in the inaugural modern Games in Athens 1896, later continued by gymnastic federations in Europe.
In this test of pure upper-body strength, athletes raced up a vertical rope using only their arms.
It was a fan favorite during the early Games but lost relevance as Olympic gymnastics evolved.
💡 Legacy: Rope climbing is now more of a nostalgic reference than a sport, though it still lives on in school PE classes.
Some Thoughts
These rare Olympic events didn’t just test athletic ability—they reflected the cultures, politics, and curiosities of their time. From pigeon carnage in Paris to a wooden-legged champion scaling ropes, these are the kinds of stories that make Olympic history truly legendary.
As the Games continue to evolve with new sports like surfing and breakdancing, one thing remains certain: Olympic history is anything but boring. (That was I sure of).
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If you enjoy reading it, comment below and leave your suggestions and any other topics that I should write about in the comments. Don’t just read alone, share it with others, in this way everybody will enjoy it. I will be back soon with another game or related info. Till then…
—DHANYAVAAD—