weird olympic sports

Olympic gymnasts are capable of incredible tricks using nothing but their own bodies. So it seems like overkill to give them a trampoline; its a bit like strapping a jet pack to sprinters. Competitors pull off some real high-flying stunts, but they never feel quite as impressive as what they can do on the ground.

The strangest thing about this one is the oxymoronic name. The sport itself, in the Games between 1984 and 1992, consists of one person dancing in the water, alone, but to music. Its doubtful many people were surprised or upset when it lost its Olympic status.

Slalom is a word that usually refers to the ski event in the Winter Olympics. But the Summer Games include canoe and kayak slalom (women can only compete in the latter). In whats also known as whitewater canoeing, medalist hopefuls paddle through (artificial) rapids, swinging back and forth through 25 gates.

At the 1906 Games in Athens, Frenchman L?on Moreaux took gold in the 20 meter pistol shooting event, Greek Konstantinos Skarlatos won the 30 meter. Of course, it wouldnt be in the spirit of the Olympics to put athletes in front of firing bullets; competitors fired at mannequins dressed in frock coats.

Even events in the modern Olympics can get outdated. In 1912, Pierre de Coubertins modern pentathlon debuted at the Stockholm Games. Just as the Ancient Greek pentathlon demanded five skills required by the soldier of the day (long jump, javelin throw, discus throw, running, and wrestling), the modern version was inspired by the pre-World War I soldier.

Thats right -- the gym class activity you probably hated as a child was actually an Olympic sport until the 1932 Games in Los Angeles. Part of the gymnastics category, the event consisted of a climb, using only the hands and arms, to the top of a rope around 25 feet long. (The details varied with each Olympics.)

The obvious silliness of speed walking, or race walking, is balanced by the length of the longer event: 50 kilometers, just over 31 miles. The most amazing part of the sport is that when it comes down to the wire, no one loses their composure and breaks into a run in a desperate bid to take home the gold medal.

These days, the ability to jump from a standstill is really only important to basketball and football players looking to impress talent scouts. But from 1900 until 1912, the standing high jump was an Olympic sport.Amazingly, American Ray Ewry won the gold at all five of those Games. Even more impressive is the fact that he spent part of his childhood in a wheelchair after contracting polio. Its an inspirational sports movie waiting to happen.

Team pursuit cycling consists of two teams of four cyclists in a four kilometer race: pretty normal. Whats strange is how the actual event works. The two teams start from opposite ends of an indoor track; they approach the finish line from either side. The four cyclists race in single file, letting the leader take the brunt of the wind resistance. After a set interval, he swings to the outside of the track and joins the group at its back.Its not the first member of the team to cross the line who determines the final time; nor is is the fourth: The third racer is the one who matters. To take advantage of this quirk, one rider will go for a death pull in the closing moments of the race, pedaling 100 percent to give his teammates behind him an extra advantage, then pulling out and letting them go for the gold.

Thats right, badminton is an Olympic sport. Otherwise known as the sport fancy ladies play while wearing fancy hats during their tea breaks. Just thinking about badminton makes me want to talk in a high-pitched voice and an English accent like a cross between a cross-dressing Monty Python sketch and a Jane Austen novel, except from a much more American perspective. Oh, hello there, Mrs. Bigglesworth. So nice of your to join. May I interest you in a crumpet during your serve? I assure you they are quite a delight. Im sorry, but Im afraid my dear complexion simply cannot handle sugary confections without breaking out in hives. I think I may have moved to southern lady at some point in my head there.