Discontinued Olympic Sports: 8 Weird Sports Kicked Out

The Strange History of Discontinued Olympic Sports

Have you ever wondered about the weirdest discontinued Olympic sports that were officially axed by the International Olympic Committee? Over the years, the Olympic Games have evolved to capture global attention, meaning some truly bizarre events had to be phased out to maintain athletic integrity.

While modern athletes chase glory in gymnastics and track, past competitors won gold medals in events that seem outright comical today. Let's countdown eight sports removed from the Olympics that will leave you scratching your head.

1. Tug of War (1900 - 1920)

Once a crowd favorite during the early summer games, Tug of War was an official medal sport for six Olympic cycles.

The Rules: Two teams of eight pulled a rope, attempting to drag their opponents six feet.
The Controversy: Countries often entered multiple club teams, leading to sweeping podium sweeps (like Great Britain in 1908).
The Exit: The International Olympic Committee removed it in 1920 to consolidate the official athletic program.

2. Polo (1900 - 1936)

This high-society sport appeared intermittently across five different Olympic Games before being permanently retired.

The Logistics: Shipping horses globally created massive financial and logistical nightmares for organizing committees.
Lack of Competition: Only a handful of wealthy nations could afford to field competitive polo squads.
The Exit: After the 1936 Berlin Games, the high costs of animal transport led to its removal.

3. Cricket (1900 Only)

While cricket is one of the most popular sports globally today, it only made a single, chaotic appearance in Paris 1900.

Only Two Teams: Great Britain and France were the sole competitors, and the French team was mostly made up of British expats.
The Exit: Due to a lack of international entries, cricket was swiftly designated as one of the major sports removed from the Olympics for over a century.

4. Croquet (1900 Only)

Croquet holds a unique place in history as the first Olympic event where women were allowed to compete.

Zero Spectators: Records show that only one spectator—an English tourist—purchased a ticket for the event.
The Exit: Due to dismal public interest and lack of international competitors, the sport was permanently dropped after just one showing.

5. Motor Boating (1908 Only)

Water motorsports made an official appearance at the 1908 London Games, but the event quickly became a legendary disaster.

Terrible Weather: Gale-force winds and thick mud ruined the spectacle.
Engine Failures: Most of the boats broke down, forcing crews to abandon the races.
The Exit: The IOC quickly realized that motorized sports defied the spirit of human physical athletic achievement.

6. Basque Pelota (1900 Only)

Similar to squash but played with a hard ball thrown against a wall with a curved basket, this sport had a fleeting Olympic run.

No Competitors: Only two teams—Spain and France—actually registered to play the event.
The Exit: Spain won by default after France withdrew just before the match. It was never brought back as a medal event.

7. Roque (1904 Only)

Roque was an American, hard-court variation of croquet designed specifically to be played on sand or concrete.

Limited Appeal: Played only at the 1904 St. Louis Games, only American players entered the tournament.
The Exit: The sport failed to attract international traction, leading to its immediate discontinuation.

8. Lacrosse (1904 - 1908)

This fast-paced sport was a medal event twice, but struggled to find enough participating nations to sustain its status.

Limited Scale: Only Canada, the US, and Great Britain field teams during its short Olympic lifespan.
The Exit: High travel costs for teams forced it into demonstration-only status before it disappeared from the program.

These discontinued Olympic sports highlight how much the games have changed over the last century. As global tastes shift, the Olympic program continues to adapt, trading old-world oddities for modern action sports like sport climbing and breaking!