While athletes from a range of different sporting disciplines will be busy training and preparing for the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, the 2024 Games in Paris were brought into focus recently by the news that one of the sports being considered for admission into the programme is breakdancing.
It’s not uncommon that new sports jockey for a place at the Olympics, but with all events in Tokyo now locked down, attention for this fringe sports has turned to Paris.
For many people, the notion that breakdancing is a competitive sport seems a bit far-fetched, but it is not unprecedented that the modern Olympic Games have facilitated some weird and wonderful events. Here are just a few examples of the strangest ‘sports’ to feature at the Olympic Games.
Club swinging
Basically, competitors had to stand still and swing wooden clubs around in some sort of routine to gain point from judges. The way the clubs were looked very much like they were about to be juggled, but competitors kept a hold of them throughout. Club swinging appeared at two Olympics – 1904 and 1932 – but was phased but many believe it was a precursor to rhythmic gymnastics.
Tug of War
This event has its roots in the ancient Games and was a regular of the first few Games of the 20th century. Two teams of eight people pulled a six-foot rope to see who could pull it over their mark first. Last seen at the 1920 Olympics.
Jeu de Paume
A form of indoor tennis played with the hand, opponents hit the ball over a velvet rope in a large indoor court. Only appearance was at the 1908 Games.
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