The Paris Olympics are more than halfway done, and the proceedings have certainly kept many Malaysians on the edge of their seats – especially when it comes to our star badminton athletes. (That said, our divers, archers, swimmers and others are not to be sneezed at, either!)
If you’d like to take a breather from the adrenaline rush, here’s the second part of FMT Lifestyle’s list of unusual sports that were once showcased at the Olympic Games.
Some of these might make you smile, smirk – or just go “huh?”. With no further ado…
1. Plunging for distance
Each competitor was required to dive into a pool and keep their body still as they glided in the water, face-down. The winner was either the person who marked the longest distance within 60 seconds or who travelled the farthest distance before they had to come up for air.
Also known as the distance plunge, the sport made its debut in the 1904 Olympics with only five competitors, who were all from the United States. William Dickey, who lasted for an approximate distance of 62 feet and 6 inches (19.05m), went home with the gold.
After making its debut, plunging for distance was thereafter excluded from future Games. Perhaps watching someone drift in the water wasn’t the thrillfest the organising committee had thought it would be.
2. Rope climbing
Do you have fond memories of climbing rope when you were a child? Well, did you know that this activity was included in the 1896, 1904, 1924 and 1932 Games as part of gymnastic events?
Contestants were required to climb a vertical rope, putting their upper body strength to test. In 1904, George Eyser from the US took home the gold medal – despite having a wooden prosthetic leg!
All in all, Eyser went home with a total of three gold, two silver and one bronze medals. Apart from rope climbing, he competed in other gymnastics sports such as parallel bars and vault.
3. Solo synchronised swimming
Solo synchronised swimming may sound like an oxymoron, but did you know this was actually included in the 1984, 1988 and 1992 Olympics?
One might wonder how it is possible to “synchronise” with only one swimmer, but apparently the goal of this event was to be in sync with the music!
The competition was only open for women, with its first gold winner being Tracie Ruiz from the US. All in all, Ruiz would take home three medals from the Games for synchronised swimming.
The solo version of the sport was discontinued after 1992. However, duet and team competitions are still part of the Olympics, and the event is now known as artistic swimming.
4. Running deer shooting
Before animal lovers cringe, no deer were actually harmed – unlike the pigeons in our previous list! – as cutouts were used instead of live animals. The shooters had to stand approximately 100m away from the target and take one or two shots.
The sport was first introduced in the 1908 Olympics and is believed to have lasted until 1956, although it was halted for several years in between.
In its debut year, one Oscar Swahn from Sweden won gold medals in the individual and team events. It was reportedly Swahn’s first Olympics, and he was 60 years old!
5. Long jump for horses
As its name denotes, this is a sport that showcased just how far horses could jump. It was introduced in the 1900 Olympics, which was also held in Paris, with 17 contestants.
They were first asked to jump approximately 4.5m with their horses, and all 17 succeeded. The distance was gradually increased, and the gold eventually went to Constant van Langhendonck from Belgium and his horse Extra Dry, who made a leap of 6.1m.
The silver was reportedly bagged by Italian Giovanni Giorgio Trissino and his horse Oreste (5.7 m), while the bronze was won by Camille de La Forgue de Bellegarde from France and his horse Tolla (4.9m).
Extra Dry’s name appeared to be strangely prophetic: the sport was excluded from future games after its debut, perhaps for being unexciting… neigh, extra dry, indeed!
BONUS: firefighting
OK this wasn’t officially an Olympic sport, though it apparently featured at the 1900 Games. Competitions were held for both professional and volunteer firefighters, who had to put out a fire and perform a rescue.
Despite it being an unofficial event, the report of the 1900 Olympic Games, prepared by A G Spalding, devoted many pages to the competition.
The volunteer team comprised entrants from Portugal, England and Hungary, with Portugal being the winner.
There were just two professional teams, from Italy and the United States. The contest was won by Kansas City with “its famous engine, hook and ladder company No. 1”.