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2012 Olympics Yoga Working Out Running

Past Olympic Sports

7 Weird Olympic Sports That Didn't Make It to the Finals

August 8, 2012

Past Olympic Sports

1 / 10

by Michele Foley 1

Looking back at the first Summer Olympics of 1896, it might surprise you that not much has changed in the way of sporting events. You could still see the world's greatest athletes compete against one another in running, weightlifting, and swimming. That's not to stay every sport has been so lucky to last the century (water motorsports, anyone?). From an event that left 300 dead pigeons in its wake to the birth of tennis, see some of the strangest events to ever make their way to the Games.

1 / 10

by Michele Foley 1

Looking back at the first Summer Olympics of 1896, it might surprise you that not much has changed in the way of sporting events. You could still see the world's greatest athletes compete against one another in running, weightlifting, and swimming. That's not to stay every sport has been so lucky to last the century (water motorsports, anyone?). From an event that left 300 dead pigeons in its wake to the birth of tennis, see some of the strangest events to ever make their way to the Games.

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2012 Olympics

1 Comment

Nancy Einhart 41 weeks 1 day

Wow, so interesting! I had no idea about tug of war. I can see that being fun to watch.