Photo: Jamie Squire/Getty Images
At the first modern Olympic Games held in Athens in 1896, nine sports were contested: wrestling, fencing, athletics (track and field events), cycling, tennis, swimming,... more
At the first modern Olympic Games held in Athens in 1896, nine sports were contested: wrestling, fencing, athletics (track and field events), cycling, tennis, swimming,... more
Photo: Jamie Squire/Getty Images
At the first modern Olympic Games held in Athens in 1896, nine sports were contested: wrestling, fencing, athletics (track and field events), cycling, tennis, swimming, weightlifting, gymnastics and shooting. Over the years, that number has increased significantly with the inclusion of everything from table tennis to taekwondo, from basketball to badminton. While many of these new additions have stuck around, others have been phased out indefinitely for one reason or another by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), which in recent years capped the number of sports contested at the Summer Olympics at 28 (there will be only 26 at the 2012 Summer Olympics). Some sports, such as tennis and archery, have been discontinued and then, years later, reinstated. Currently, to be included in the Summer Olympics, a sport must be practiced by men in 75 countries spanning four continents and by women in 40 countries across three continents. Also, unlike some early Olympic events, no motors are allowed. Of course, many of these discontinued Summer Olympic sports and disciplines, both of official and demonstration variety, fall into the "odd" and/or "obscure" category. Here's a look at nine of them, listed alongside the year that marked their last - and in many cases, only - appearance. Now, if you'll excuse us, we're off to play a game of korfball. less
At the first modern Olympic Games held in Athens in 1896, nine sports were contested: wrestling, fencing, athletics (track and field events), cycling, tennis, swimming, weightlifting, gymnastics and shooting. Over the years, that number has increased significantly with the inclusion of everything from table tennis to taekwondo, from basketball to badminton. While many of these new additions have stuck around, others have been phased out indefinitely for one reason or another by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), which in recent years capped the number of sports contested at the Summer Olympics at 28 (there will be only 26 at the 2012 Summer Olympics). Some sports, such as tennis and archery, have been discontinued and then, years later, reinstated. Currently, to be included in the Summer Olympics, a sport must be practiced by men in 75 countries spanning four continents and by women in 40 countries across three continents. Also, unlike some early Olympic events, no motors are allowed. Of course, many of these discontinued Summer Olympic sports and disciplines, both of official and demonstration variety, fall into the "odd" and/or "obscure" category. Here's a look at nine of them, listed alongside the year that marked their last - and in many cases, only - appearance. Now, if you'll excuse us, we're off to play a game of korfball. less
1 / 10
| Photo By Staff / Jamie Squire
Fri, Jun 22, 2012 11:00 AM EDT
Share to Facebook
Share to Pinterest
Share to Twitter
1 - 10 / 10
By Matt Hickman, Mother Nature Network
For those of you mourning the fact that baseball will not be part of the 2012 Summer Olympics in London (or the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro), don't worry because you're not alone - there are legions of croquet enthusiasts, tug-of-war fanatics and solo synchronized swimming fans out there who have experienced a similar loss.
