The Olympic Games have always been a showcase of human athleticism and competitive spirit, with events that push the boundaries of what athletes can achieve. However, not all Olympic events have stood the test of time. Some, thankfully, have been left in the past.
Here are a few bizarre and now-banned Olympic events that we’re glad to see go.
Imagine a sport with almost no rules and where the only prohibitions were against biting and gouging. That was Pankration, a brutal mix of boxing and wrestling from ancient times. Participants didn’t even wear hand-wraps, making the matches bloody displays of strength and endurance.
The sport originated in ancient Greece and was introduced to the Olympics in 648 BC. Pankration was immensely popular, becoming a staple of ancient folklore due to its gladiatorial nature. The matches often ended with severe injuries or even death, as fighters used any means necessary to subdue their opponents.
While it showcased raw masculine power and was celebrated as the ultimate test of physical and mental toughness, the sheer violence and lack of regulations (did we mention that strangling and eye gouging were allowed?) make it a sport we’re glad is no longer part of the Olympic roster.
In the 1900 Olympics, there was an event that involved shooting live pigeons . Yes, you read that right. Pigeon shooting was an actual Olympic event, and it’s one “sport” everyone is relieved to see abolished.
The event took place in Paris, where competitors aimed to shoot as many released pigeons as possible. The spectacle resulted in over 300 pigeons being killed, leaving the field littered with feathers and carcasses.
The winner, Belgian Leon de Lunden, killed 21 pigeons. While it might have been seen as a test of marksmanship at the time, the grim reality of using live animals for sport makes it clear why this event was never repeated. Modern Olympic shooting events now use clay targets, offering a humane and equally challenging alternative.
Also in the 1900 Paris Olympics, underwater swimming made a brief appearance. Competitors had to swim as far as they could underwater in the River Seine, earning points for both distance and time spent submerged. Each swimmer received one point for every second they stayed underwater and two points for every meter they covered.
The event’s primary flaw? It was incredibly boring for spectators. With swimmers disappearing beneath the surface, the audience was left staring at an empty river, making it one of the least engaging Olympic events.
Frenchman Charles Devendeville won the gold by staying underwater for one minute and eight seconds , covering the maximum distance of 60 meters. He narrowly beat fellow Frenchman Andre Six, who stayed submerged for one minute and five seconds. Despite the impressive displays of endurance and skill, the lack of visibility for spectators ensured this event was quickly dropped from future Games.
The Olympics once channeled the Wild West with the inclusion of pistol dueling in the 1906 Games . Contrary to what the name suggests, this event didn’t involve actual duels between competitors. Instead, participants fired pistols at human-shaped dummies with bull’s eyes on their chests. The competition had two stages: shooting from 20 meters and 30 meters.
The event aimed to test precision and speed , with competitors needing to hit specific target areas to score points. While it certainly added a unique flavor to the Games, the event’s association with real dueling practices and firearms makes it an Olympic oddity better left in the past. The sight of athletes firing at lifelike dummies might have been entertaining at the time, but it’s easy to see why this event didn’t have lasting appeal in the context of promoting peaceful international competition.
Looking back at these strange and now-banned events, it's clear that the Olympics have come a long way. While they offer a fascinating glimpse into the history of the Games, these bizarre sports remind us why some traditions are best not revived. Here’s to celebrating the more refined and spectator-friendly events that define the Olympics today!
