Whenever you think of the Olympics, you think of the traditional sports that have been there for a while, sports like gymnastics, basketball, swimming. But it wasn’t always like this, as at one time they were unique or even weird. Here are some of those weird sports that used to be in the Olympics, and how they were played.
- 100-meter Running Deer
This shooting event was under ISSF, which lasted 1908-1948, It consisted of deer-shaped targets that made ten 75-foot runs. Shooters usually shot 1-2 at the target during each run. Each run, which usually lasted 4 seconds, took place at a distance of 110 meters from the shooters. The targets had 3 circles that the shooters would try to shoot. The smallest circle would carry 4 points, the middle circle contained 3, and the outer circle would contain 2.
2. Live Pigeon Shooting
The 1900 Olympics included live pigeon shooting for the first time. The competitors would shoot at live birds released from traps. They would release these birds at 27 meters in front of the participant, and the person who had the most killed birds would win, making it the first Olympic competition that intentionally killed animals. Nearly 300 birds died from this before it was replaced with clay targets. This event would be held at Cercle Du Bois De Boulogne.
3. Pistol Dueling
This is different from the other dueling as this one was introduced in 1912. Unlike pistol dueling that results in death, like the Duel between Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr, it is done with wax bullets and protective equipment. The athletes wore masks and eye protection, as they would fire specially designed pistols at opponents wearing heavy clothing to absorb the impact. They also used no gun powder.
HONORALBLE MENTION
Delivery Van Driving
In the 1900s delivery van driving was introduced as an event in the Paris Olympics. Vehicles were judged on fuel efficiency, speed and the driver’s skill. this would count as automobile racing.
Swimming Obstacle Race
The 1900 Paris Olympics included a 200-meter swimming obstacle race in the Seine river. The athletes would have to climb over poles and boats, and swim under others while still dodging obstacles. This event used freestyle swimming which means they did not regulate it. This event only had two rounds.
Painting and Sculpture
This event helped form part of the modern Olympics. It lasted from 1912-1948. But all the work that would be submitted would have to be inspired by a sport and had to be original.
Organizers allowed artists to submit multiple art pieces, but they would finally establish a limit to how many you could submit. This allowed artists to win multiple awards
