Exploring the Quirky and Forgotten Sports of the 1900 Paris Olympics

An old sports event that brings countries together and honours athletic brilliance is the Olympics. Hosted in Paris, the 2024 Olympics upholds this worldwide togetherness and fierce competitiveness trend. The event highlights the height of human physical ability as sportsmen from all around the globe engage in different disciplines. The Olympics inspire next generations to strive excellence in sports and beyond by reaffirming the ideals of tenacity, will, and international brotherhood.

Also Read: Paris Olympics Day 2: Live Updates and Scores, July 28, 2024

Forgotten Sports of the Early Olympic Games: A Look Back at the Quirky Events of Paris 1900

Renowned for its celebration of athletic ability and global togetherness, the Olympics has also produced a fair number of unexpected activities. Among the most intriguing sports ever given Olympic recognition were those included at Paris's second-ever modern games in 1900. Let's look back at some of the oddball and long-forgotten events from the past as the Olympic show makes its way back to Paris this summer.

Live Pigeon Shooting

The live pigeon shooting sport made one Olympic visit at the 1900 Paris Games, in what would now be considered an animal rights disaster. There were apparently around three hundred dead birds throughout the contest. Fortunately, clay targets took the role of live pigeons in next Olympic shooting sports.

Swimming Obstacle Course

The 200-meter obstacle swimming race in Paris took place beside the River Seine. Before swimming beneath another set of boats, rivals had to negotiate a difficult route including climbing over a pole and a row of boats. Fascinatingly, the Seine will once more be central in the 2024 Games hosting the swimming part of the triathlon, marathon swimming, and opening ceremony. Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo swam the river earlier this month to show its safety in view of current worries about water quality.

Tug of War

Considered to exist from 1900 to 1920, the Tug of War sport involved teams of eight trying to drag their opponent six feet over a line within five minutes. Only after the 1920 Antwerp Games was this event stopped; World War I caused the 1916 Olympics to be called off.

Long Jump for Horses

Equestrian activities like the long jump for horses were also part of the 1900 Paris Games. Extra Dry, the horse of Belgian rider Constant van Langendonck, made a leap of 6.10 meters—the only occasion this event made sense for the Olympics.

High Jump for Horses

Another equestrian sport, the high jump for horses, made its lone Olympic debut in Paris in 1900. Dominique Garderes of France on Canela and Gian Giorgio Trissino of Italy on Oreste shared first place by clearing 1.85 meters.

Plunge for Distance

William Dickey of the United States is still the reigning Olympic champion in the plunge for distance, a unique event from the 1904 Games in St. Louis, Missouri. Dickey earned gold after gliding underwater for an amazing 62 feet and 6 inches. This event was eventually withdrawn from the Olympic schedule.

Croquet

In Paris in 1900, croquet made its Olympic debut and finished its tenure. It was noteworthy because it was the first Olympic competition in which female athletes faced off against male opponents. France took home the gold in each of the event's four divisions. Only one spectator is said to have attended, indicating that the event did not draw much notice.

Rope Climbing

Five Olympics included this event, ranging from 1896 to 1932. Competitors ascended ropes that varied in length, the shortest being 25 feet and the highest being 49 feet.

Standing High Jump

The standing high jump was an Olympic event from 1900 to 1912, and Ray Ewry was a great performer in it. He won gold in 1900, 1904, and 1908, making his place in Olympic history even stronger.

Underwater Swimming

At the 1900 Paris Games, there was also underwater swimming. Swimmers went up to 60 meters below the top of the River Seine. For every metre the swimmer covered and every second they stayed under the water, they got points.

These strange events, which aren't held anymore, are an interesting look into the history of the Olympics and show how much the sports world has changed in the last 100 years. As Paris is hosting the Olympics again, memories of these out-of-the-ordinary events add to the Games' rich history.