Summer Olympics

Green Lantern · #11 07-09-2008, 08:03 AM

Motor boating, duelling pistol among discontinued sports from past Olympics
Motor boating, duelling pistol among discontinued sports from past Olympics

Not every Olympic event has been a success. Some, like live pigeon shooting and equestrian high jump, lasted just one year. Here's a look at some other sports no longer in the Olympic program:

Rope climb (1896, 1904, 1924, 1932): Using only their hands, competitors try to see how fast they can get to the top of the rope.

One-hand weightlifting (1896): Similar to the modern snatch event, but athletes were only allowed to use one hand.

Tug-of-war (1900-1920): Two teams of eight try to pull a rope six feet; if neither team reaches the mark after five minutes, the team that pulls the farthest wins.

Standing high jump (1900-1912): Same as the traditional high jump, only without a run-up.
Standing broad jump (1900-1912): The long jump without a run-up.

Standing triple jump (1900-1904): Also known as the hop, step and jump; started from a stationary position.

Underwater swimming (1900): Swimmers were awarded points for how far they went and how long they stayed under water.

Swimming obstacle race (1900): Racers had to swim through the River Seine, climb up and down a pole, then go over and under several boats.

Live pigeon shooting (1900): The birds were released and shooters tried to kill as many as possible.

Equestrian high jump (1900): Riders see who can jump the highest on horseback.

Equestrian long jump (1900): Long jumping on horseback.

Basque pelota (1900): A form of handball played mostly on the border of Spain and France.

Rugby union (1900, 1908-24): One of the most popular team sports in the world still waiting to get back into the Olympics.

56-pound weight throw (1904, 1920): A 56-pound weight affixed with a handle that's thrown over a pole vault bar.

All-around dumbbell contest (1904): Competitors performed 10 different lifts with dumbbells over two days.

Club swinging (1904): Similar to rhythmic gymnastics, only the competitors swing clubs around their bodies.

Plunge diving (1904): From a standing position, divers see how far they can go without taking a stroke.

Duelling pistol (1906): Shooters fired at mannequins wearing frock coats and bull's-eyes on their chests.

Motor boating (1908): Three categories of races in boats; IOC later decided against allowing anything with a motor.

Jeu de paume (1908): Similar to squash, only competitors use their hands instead of a racket to strike the ball.

Plain high diving (1912-24): Divers were not allowed to do any acrobatic moves; they just dove straight into the water.

Tumbling (1932): Athletes do flips and twists along a two-foot-wide strip; now part of the modern gymnastics floor exercise.
Solo synchronized swimming (1984-92): Swimmers were awarded points based on routines synchronized to music.

Green Lantern · #12 07-09-2008, 08:05 AM

That is a very interesting list of sports no longer played in the Olympics. I think a Swimming obstacle race sounds interesting and would be fun to watch

Chase · #13 07-09-2008, 08:07 AM

very interesting post GL, thanks man

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MedulaOblongata · #14 07-09-2008, 08:16 AM

My daughter (13) plays softball and I have become addicted to watching competitive softball.

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Dreamear · #15 07-09-2008, 09:09 AM

I too love the Winter Olympics.

I will watch some of the olympics, probably a little of each but I love gymnastics.

My only complaint about the olympics is how it takes over every freakin channel on tv.

Thanks for the list GL... although "solo synchronized swimming" isn't that an oxymoron???

Pythoness · #16 07-09-2008, 10:14 AM

I only ever watched the equestrian events, but I'm not sure if I'll watch this year or not.

upstatefisher · #17 07-09-2008, 10:54 AM

I am really looking forward to the Olympics - planning to be glued to the television for a few weeks.

The US took a big hit when the sprinter Gay pulled his hamstring in the trials of the 200. While he might still be good enough to run the open 100, with all the trials you have to run, he might not be much ood for the 4 x 100 meter relay. Lots of races on a sore hammy.

witchofthedogs · #18 07-09-2008, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pythoness

I only ever watched the equestrian events, but I'm not sure if I'll watch this year or not.

Same here. And the rowing (if it was broadcast).

I'm getting my sports fix this summer with the Tour de France. I'm pretty certain that I'm not going to watch the Olympics not because I'm not interested, but because I don't believe we should be participating. At the very least, I don't believe we should be participating in the opening ceremonies.

But your mileage may vary.

upstatefisher · #19 07-09-2008, 11:02 AM

[quote=Green Lantern;111676]

Live pigeon shooting (1900): The birds were released and shooters tried to kill as many as possible.

DING DING DING DING - we have a winner - we should do this in Rehoboth and in Ocean City - Seagulls are just rats with wings

Delguy92 · #20 08-09-2008, 11:20 PM

To those guys who just haven't been able to get into watching the Olympics...

Women's volleyball is on Sun.

It's actually not that bad...

Summer Olympics

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