10 Strangest Olympic Events You Never Knew Existed

Modern Olympic Games follow a well-established framework, with each host city infusing its unique cultural touch while adhering to the guidelines set by the Olympic Charter. Spectators generally know what to anticipate, from the excitement of the Opening Ceremonies to the emotional medal presentations and the diverse range of sports showcasing elite athletes.

While new sports are occasionally introduced or older ones phased out (like the inclusion of snowboarding in 1998), it's uncommon to see a slew of new events in a single Olympics. However, the 1900 Games in France, held alongside the World's Fair, were a stark contrast to today's structured events. Many unofficial and peculiar sports debuted there, some never to return—think poodle grooming and van driving. Yes, those were real events.

Curious to learn more about the weirdest Olympic sports ever?

10: Tug-of-War

Think back to your school days, pulling on a rope with all your might, ignoring the blisters, just to make your classmates fall. Now picture adults doing the same thing—intense, right? Tug-of-war became an Olympic event starting in 1900, and while it was a minor sport, it was fiercely competitive.

Teams were often mixed with athletes from different countries, and the rules were far from strict. In the 1900 Games, Swedish and Danish athletes joined forces to take on the French team, and they came out victorious. The story of the American team is even stranger: some records claim they didn’t compete, while others say they were disqualified.

Tug-of-war had a longer Olympic run than many other unusual sports. It remained part of the Games until 1920, after which it was removed from the roster.

9: Hot Air Ballooning

Hot air ballooning was a demonstration sport during the 1900 Olympics, meaning it wasn’t officially recognized. A total of 61 men and 3 women competed across 18 events, with judges scoring participants on factors like distance, duration, and altitude.

Hot air ballooning wasn’t the only unusual aerial event in 1900. Kite flying, cannon shooting, and pigeon shooting also made their debut that year. Spectators might have wanted to stay alert—these events were anything but predictable.

The 1900 Games set two world records: 58,731 athletes competed across 34 sports, the highest numbers ever recorded [source: Encyclopedia of the Modern Olympic Movement]. The event also lasted an unprecedented length, running from May 14 to October 28, leaving plenty of time for even more peculiar competitions.

8: Firefighting and Lifesaving

Firefighting and lifesaving are crucial skills for emergency responders, but they seem unusual alongside traditional Olympic events like canoeing, gymnastics, and cycling.

While neither activity became an official Olympic sport, their practitioners have still made their mark. Australian surf lifesavers, for instance, who guard the country’s vast beaches, have excelled in aquatic sports such as swimming, water polo, kayaking, and rowing, as well as some track and field events.

Details about the firefighting demonstrations are scarce, but it’s likely that some Parisian buildings (hopefully built for the purpose) were set ablaze to test which teams could put out the fires fastest. In 1900, Portugal won the volunteer division, while a team from Kansas City claimed victory in the professional division.

7: Pole Dancing

Before you react—pole dancing is not, and has never been, an official or unofficial Olympic event. However, there’s a growing movement to change that. If you’ve ever witnessed pole dancing, you’d know the performers are often incredibly athletic.

With this in mind, many are urging the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to recognize pole dancing as an official sport. Competitions like the U.S. Pole Dance Championships and the International Pole Dancing Fitness Championships already exist, drawing participants from countries such as Japan, Hong Kong, Britain, and Finland. Advocates argue that under a name like "pole fitness," the activity could be seen as a legitimate display of athleticism, moving from nightclubs to the Olympic stage.

6: Solo Synchronized Swimming

From 1984 to 1992, the Olympics featured an official sport called solo synchronized swimming. It makes this list largely because of its name. While swimming is undeniably a respected sport, calling a one-person event "synchronized" takes some audacity. (Supporters argue the swimmer was synchronized with the music. Sure, let’s go with that.)

Executing intricate acrobatic routines in water is undeniably impressive, and some might even call it an aquatic ballet. However, the concept was undeniably odd. It’s no shock that it was eventually removed from the Olympic lineup.

5: Skeleton

If the previous entries have you nostalgic for the oddities of past Olympics (or curious about future ones, should pole dancing make the cut), don’t worry: the modern Games still have their share of peculiar sports. Take skeleton, for example. While many ice track events seem unusual and risky, skeleton stands out as uniquely terrifying. (Even its name sounds foreboding. Luge, on the other hand, sounds like it could be a cozy drink.)

In skeleton, athletes race down an icy track, harnessing the same physics as bobsledding, but instead of sitting upright in a secure sled, they plunge headfirst into this frozen tunnel of terror.

Headfirst. This means any potential mishap is likely to impact your head before anything else. If regularly training and competing in this sport isn’t bizarre, then what is?

4: Ski Jumping

Cross-country skiing challenges strength and endurance, while downhill skiing tests speed and precision. Ski jumping, however, is a pure test of audacity. Since 1924, Olympic athletes have embraced this unique form of madness.

Ski jumping requires propelling yourself down a steep slope on two narrow planks (some call them skis, but that seems generous under the circumstances), then soaring into the air to see how far you can fly. The distances achieved are staggering. For onlookers, it’s like watching Superman in action—minus the superpowers. If floating high above a snowy abyss sounds appealing, this might be your sport. And let’s not even delve into ski aerials.

3: Curling

Among the world’s strangest sports, curling stands out with its slippery surfaces and broom-wielding athletes. It’s not just the intriguing teamwork and strategy that captivate viewers on the TV screen, but also the sheer curiosity: Who even came up with this idea?

Teams of four take turns sliding hefty granite stones down icy lanes toward a target at the other end. But the stones don’t travel solo—teammates use brooms to sweep the ice, which can slightly melt the surface, reducing friction and helping guide the stone’s path and speed.

One of curling’s most distinctive features is its deliberate, almost slow-motion pace. While many Olympic events are about explosive speed, curling emphasizes precision and strategy. It’s a refreshing, if peculiar, change of pace.

2: Biathlon

The biathlon is a prime example of the Olympics’ love for unusual combinations. Enjoy the serene, rhythmic nature of cross-country skiing? Great. How about the intense, sharp focus required for rifle shooting? Perfect. If you appreciate both extremes, this sport—which merges the two—is tailor-made for you.

Since 1960, the biathlon has been a staple of the Games, blending peaceful cross-country skiing with sudden bursts of target shooting. Athletes alternate between skiing and shooting, sometimes standing, other times lying prone. Essentially, it transforms survival skills into a competitive event.

Next, we explore an even more unusual combination of skills.

1: Pentathlon

If the biathlon seems odd, the modern pentathlon takes it to another level. Athletes must excel in not two, but five completely different disciplines. Introduced for men in 1912 and women in 2000, this summer sport is a true test of versatility.

Legend has it that this event was inspired by a French cavalry officer who faced incredible challenges to deliver an urgent message. Starting on horseback, he also had to fence, run, swim, and shoot to ensure the message reached its destination.

Today, a pentathlon athlete must complete a grueling series of events in one day: fencing against all competitors, swimming 200 meters, riding an unfamiliar horse through a 12-jump course, and finally, a combined running and shooting event to claim victory. After such an exhausting day, a well-deserved nap is surely in order.