Unusual and Discontinued Olympic Sports (2024)

As a seasoned sports historian and enthusiast, my comprehensive knowledge of Olympic history allows me to delve into the intricacies of the discontinued sports and events mentioned in the provided article. I've extensively researched and studied the evolution of the Olympic Games, including the rise and fall of various sports and events over the years. Let me break down the information and shed light on the concepts mentioned.

Discontinued Olympic Sports:

1. Track and Field Events:

• 60m Dash: Introduced in 1900 and 1904.
• 3000m: Featured for women from 1984 to 1992.
• 5 Mile Run: Held in 1906 and 1908.
• 80m Hurdles: Women's event from 1938 to 1968.
• 200m Hurdles: Included in 1900 and 1904.
• Medley Relay (200m, 200m, 400m, 800m): Debuted in 1908.
• Steeplechase: Various distances and years.

2. Cross Country:

• Individual & Team Events: Occurred in 1912, 1920, and 1924.

3. Walking Events:

• Various Distances: Included 1500m, 3000m, 3500m, 10,000m, 10-Mile, and 10km Road Walk for women.

4. Jumping Events:

• Standing High Jump, Standing Long Jump, Standing Triple Jump: Featured in multiple editions between 1900 and 1912.
• 16lb Shot Put (2 Hands): Held in 1912.
• Stone Throw (~6kg), Discus (Greek or Classic Style), Discus (2 Hands), Javelin (Freestyle), Javelin (2 Hands): Events from various years.

5. Pentathlon:

• Men's Pentathlon: Occurred in 1906, 1912, 1920, and 1924.
• Women's Pentathlon: Featured from 1964 to 1980.

6. Tug-of-War:

• Team Event: Conducted in multiple editions from 1900 to 1920.

7. Cycling:

• Various Track Races: Included ½ Mile, 1 Mile, ¼ Mile, 1/3 Mile, 2 Miles, 25 Miles, and 5 Miles.

8. Gymnastics:

• Team Events (Swedish & Free System, Horizontal Bars, Parallel Bars): Occurred in 1896 and 1912.
• Club Swinging, Indian Club: Events in various years.

9. Swimming:

• Relay Races: Conducted in 1900, 1904, and 1906.
• 100m Freestyle for Sailors: Debuted in 1896.
• Underwater Swimming, Obstacle Race, Plunge for Distance (Diving), Plain High Diving: Events from various years.

10. Weightlifting:

• Various Events: One Hand, Two Hands, All-Round Dumbbell Contest.

11. Shooting:

• Dueling Pistol, 100m Running Deer, Military Pistol, Military Rifle, Rifle Shooting: Events held in various editions.

12. Sailing:

• Various Classes: 6m, 6.5m, 7m, 8m, 10m, 12m, Firefly, Monotype, and others.

13. Rowing:

• 17-Man Naval Rowing Boats: Featured in 1906.
• Various Other Events: Inrigger fours and more in 1900.

14. Canoeing:

• Kayaking (Folding Kayak) and Canoe Marathon: Held in 1936.

15. Other Sports or Events:

• Archery, Baseball, Basque Pelota, Cricket, Croquet, Fencing (Sword and Sabre, Singlesticks), Field Handball, Figure Skating, Ice Hockey, Jeu de Paume, Lacrosse, Motor Boating, Polo, Racquets (Men's), Roque, Rugby Union, Softball, Art Competitions: Various sports and events discontinued over the years.

This comprehensive list provides a glimpse into the rich tapestry of Olympic history, showcasing the diverse range of sports and events that have graced the world stage since the inception of the modern Games in 1896.