Post by: Unisaw on August 18, 2008, 09:22:04 PM
The Olympics is the biggest and best sporting event in the world. It has showcased, and continues to showcase, a range of events. In this article I will countdown some of the weirdest events that have ever graced the Olympic Games.
5. 3000m Steeplechase (1896 - present)
To me, this event just looks random. It seems that someone was short of Olympic events so took the 3,000 metres and threw a hurdle every 200m or so! To add to that, they put water behind one of the barriers!
I wonder if anyone grows up and says "I want to be a 3000m steeplechaser when I'm older." Somehow I doubt it. What was wrong with the normal 3000m?
4. Motor Boating (1908)
Unsurprisingly this event didn't make it past one Olympic appearance. London were the hosts for this shambles of an event, where people simply raced a motor boat against others. No athletic ability was needed.
While you may not think this sounds too bad, remember, this was in 1908, when they thought going too fast would cause your head to explode. The boats therefore never got over 20 mph.
3. Horse Long Jump (1900)
Again, this unsurprisingly only appeared at one Olympics. The concept was simply human long jump, but instead of the human part, you have horses.
I'm guessing a few of them struggled on the landing technique, and maybe got a few foot fouls. Or hoof fouls, as they case may be.
The poor horses didn't even get to go onto the podium and collect their medals!
2. Horse High Jump (1900)
Another product of the genius mind who decided to get horses to do what humans did. I don't know why he didn't choose a horse 100m, it would've been better. Still, a horse high jump competition outdoes even the horse long jump.
Again, though, the horse who could jump highest didn't even get to collect its medal. I wonder how they did qualifying for this?
1. Solo Synchronized Swimming (1992)
Yes, you read that right. The 1992 Olympic games saw Solo Synchronized Swimming as an actual registered event. Nobody seemed to tell the inventor of this that you need two people to be in sync.
Apparently the idea was that the swimmer was in sync with the music. Sorry, but solo synchronized swimming is not only the weirdest Olympic event of all time, it is the stupidest as well. By far.
Honourable mentions:
Walking
Rope Climb
Live Pigeon Shooting
Pistol Dueling
Tug of War
Some of the comments for that article are pretty funny, too!
Post by: agricola on August 19, 2008, 03:34:49 AM
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madison_(cycling)
Post by: MechAg94 on August 19, 2008, 04:21:27 AM
Post by: bedlamite on August 19, 2008, 04:32:16 AM
Post by: wmenorr67 on August 19, 2008, 04:32:48 AM
Post by: Iain on August 19, 2008, 04:39:21 AM
That person has obviously never watched a Madison race:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madison_(cycling)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madison_(cycling)
Don't draw their attention to track cycling.
I think we have got away with it this time, but in future please bear in mind that winning 7 of the 10 available golds is very un-British. Drawing attention to it - even more so.
Post by: The Annoyed Man on August 19, 2008, 07:30:10 AM
Post by: coppertales on August 19, 2008, 08:51:11 AM
Post by: 41magsnub on August 19, 2008, 08:56:23 AM
Need a lot less beach vollyball. Who wants to watch women, who could play linebacker for the Chicago Bears, run around is clothes that don't cover much. NBC sure is catering to the bubba crowd with their coverage.....chris3
what what what? Yep, these women are terrible looking:
and etc...
Post by: K Frame on August 19, 2008, 08:58:33 AM
Indian Club Swinging wasn't listed?
What an outrage.
Post by: K Frame on August 19, 2008, 09:07:48 AM
Maybe we should be calling the 1904 olympics the Bizarro Olympic Games.
Post by: Scout26 on August 19, 2008, 11:55:47 AM
Post by: The Annoyed Man on August 19, 2008, 12:02:07 PM
Could you see PETA if there were still some of those equastrian events ??
Or the live pigeon shooting for that matter! Hey, that's a reason for having it back! Causing heart attacks among PETA members!
Post by: Perd Hapley on August 19, 2008, 12:53:52 PM
And my personal favorite: Olympic clear-cutting.
Post by: thebaldguy on August 19, 2008, 03:02:23 PM
Post by: Tallpine on August 19, 2008, 03:06:33 PM
Quote
Olympic clear-cutting
Hey, let's go! Stihl versus Husky
Actually, horseback riding is an athletic endeavor. Try it sometime. Sometimes you end up hurting all over from using muscles that you didn't know that you even had
Post by: Perd Hapley on August 19, 2008, 03:55:50 PM
Post by: wmenorr67 on August 19, 2008, 07:56:15 PM
Need a lot less beach vollyball. Who wants to watch women, who could play linebacker for the Chicago Bears, run around is clothes that don't cover much. NBC sure is catering to the bubba crowd with their coverage.....chris3
What are you watching?
Post by: Regolith on August 19, 2008, 09:17:55 PM
That person has obviously never watched a Madison race:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madison_(cycling)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madison_(cycling)
Don't draw their attention to track cycling.
I think we have got away with it this time, but in future please bear in mind that winning 7 of the 10 available golds is very un-British. Drawing attention to it - even more so.
That reminds me of something funny...
My hometown is the site of the annual Human Powered Speed Challange, wherein people try to set the world record for the fastest human powered vehicle. One year, back when I was still in high school (about 2002-03'ish), the Brits decided they wanted the record. So they went out and spent lots of money to engineer and build what was supposed to be the optimal human powered vehicle in terms of aerodynamics, and got one of their Olympic gold medal cyclists to power the thing.
They ended up getting their butts kicked by a Canadian with a completely hand built vehicle, whose designer doesn't even use a computer. The Brits went about 56mph or so, with the Canadian going well over that (he currently holds the record at 81 mph).
The BBC were even filming a documentary about it (I saw the finished version of it during one of my physics classes, whose members volunteer every year to help out with the event; unfortunately, I was unable to volunteer due a conflict with my football practice and games). I think they were pretty disheartened after all the hoopla.
Post by: Dannyboy on August 20, 2008, 03:33:40 AM
Don't draw their attention to track cycling.
I think we have got away with it this time, but in future please bear in mind that winning 7 of the 10 available golds is very un-British. Drawing attention to it - even more so.
I think we may have an answer in Taylor Phinney. He should be much better come 2012. Your Pursuit team is friggin unbelievable, though. What they did to that world record was impressive.I think we have got away with it this time, but in future please bear in mind that winning 7 of the 10 available golds is very un-British. Drawing attention to it - even more so.
I have to admit that I was extremely disappointed with the Australians this year. They have woefully underperformed compared to their recent past.
Post by: seeker_two on August 20, 2008, 04:22:19 AM
Need a lot less beach vollyball. Who wants to watch women, who could play linebacker for the Chicago Bears, run around is clothes that don't cover much. NBC sure is catering to the bubba crowd with their coverage.....chris3
What are you watching?
You were watching the Ukraine vs. Siberia match....the view improves as the games go along.....heck, even I was pulling for the Chinese team.....
Post by: xavier fremboe on August 20, 2008, 04:30:23 AM
Quote
1. Solo Synchronized Swimming (1992)
Yes, you read that right. The 1992 Olympic games saw Solo Synchronized Swimming as an actual registered event. Nobody seemed to tell the inventor of this that you need two people to be in sync.
Apparently the idea was that the swimmer was in sync with the music. Sorry, but solo synchronized swimming is not only the weirdest Olympic event of all time, it is the stupidest as well. By far.
I remember that one. It was like ice dancing for the Summer Games.
Yes, you read that right. The 1992 Olympic games saw Solo Synchronized Swimming as an actual registered event. Nobody seemed to tell the inventor of this that you need two people to be in sync.
Apparently the idea was that the swimmer was in sync with the music. Sorry, but solo synchronized swimming is not only the weirdest Olympic event of all time, it is the stupidest as well. By far.
Post by: xavier fremboe on August 20, 2008, 04:31:24 AM
Viking, I think you're on to something. Olympic seal clubbing. Olympic gas-guzzling. Olympic profiteering.
And my personal favorite: Olympic clear-cutting.
Synchronized Strip Mining
And my personal favorite: Olympic clear-cutting.
Post by: wmenorr67 on August 20, 2008, 04:36:18 AM
Need a lot less beach vollyball. Who wants to watch women, who could play linebacker for the Chicago Bears, run around is clothes that don't cover much. NBC sure is catering to the bubba crowd with their coverage.....chris3
What are you watching?
You were watching the Ukraine vs. Siberia match....the view improves as the games go along.....heck, even I was pulling for the Chinese team.....
Brazil's women actually were the best looking of the bunch.
Post by: mtnbkr on August 20, 2008, 06:33:00 AM
trick unicycle riding would be cool.
You mock, but offroad unicycling is becoming popular. They're called "munis" for "mountain unicycle". I'm serious. I know a guy who has one and have heard from people who've seen others offroad.
Nothing more trick than riding a muni in terrain that would be difficult for a traditional mountain bike.
Chris
Post by: seeker_two on August 20, 2008, 07:59:18 AM
Need a lot less beach vollyball. Who wants to watch women, who could play linebacker for the Chicago Bears, run around is clothes that don't cover much. NBC sure is catering to the bubba crowd with their coverage.....chris3
What are you watching?
You were watching the Ukraine vs. Siberia match....the view improves as the games go along.....heck, even I was pulling for the Chinese team.....
Brazil's women actually were the best looking of the bunch.
Not after watching the Chinese team.......Communism never looked so good.....
Post by: Gowen on August 20, 2008, 09:26:03 AM
Quote
1. Solo Synchronized Swimming (1992)
I bet Sybil could have competed.
Post by: Perd Hapley on August 20, 2008, 12:46:45 PM
Viking, I think you're on to something. Olympic seal clubbing. Olympic gas-guzzling. Olympic profiteering.
And my personal favorite: Olympic clear-cutting.
Synchronized Strip MiningAnd my personal favorite: Olympic clear-cutting.
Well-played, sir.