The 20 most obscure Olympic events

Everyone knows about swimming and gymnastics, but there are tons of other Olympic sports that you've probably never even heard of.

Ballooning (1 of 20)

If you’ve never heard of ballooning, it’s because it was only part of the Olympic Games in 1900. It was an unofficial sport with multiple events that tested distance, aim, elevation, and more. For a variety of reasons, this sport was discontinued.

Croquet (2 of 20)

Croquet is another one-time Olympic event that appeared in the 1900 Paris Games. The event only garnered French participants and one audience member. After what was considered a major flop, the sport was removed from the Olympics.

Badminton (3 of 20)

For over 30 years, badminton has been an official Olympic sport. China has been overwhelmingly dominant in the event, taking home 47 total medals — over 20 more than the next-best country, Indonesia. How long until we see pickleball at the Games?

Tug-of-war (4 of 20)

Tug-of-war is objectively one of the funniest sports to have ever been included in the Olympics. Although it tests group strength and coordination, there are less barbaric ways to compete for those virtues.

Rope climbing (5 of 20)

Rope climbing was an event for quite a few Olympic games. One competitor, George Eyser, even won with a wooden leg. The sport hasn’t been included in the Games for nearly a century, but it might actually be highly entertaining to see again.

Sailing (6 of 20)

Sailing doesn’t have the following that gymnastics or track and field has, but it’s been an event in every modern Olympic Games except for one. Before the 2000 Games in Sydney, the sport was called yachting, which is a much posher name.

Dueling pistols (7 of 20)

Before you worry, no one was harmed in the dueling pistols competition. The sport appeared at the unofficial 1906 Olympics, which were held in Athens, and participants shot at dummies. For very obvious reasons, this sport did not last.

Handball (8 of 20)

Handball deserves a little more recognition than it gets because it is one intense sport. It requires incredible coordination and skill, and quite a few countries have been competitive.

Solo synchronized swimming (9 of 20)

Solo synchronized swimming — a sport in which competitors swim in sync with music — was an event at three different Olympic games. But spectators thought the sport was a bit … odd. It didn’t last. Regular synchronized swimming is still very much an Olympic sport, though.

Distance plunging (10 of 20)

What even is distance plunging, you ask? In this bygone Olympic sport, competitors dove into the water and coasted either for a minute or until they floated to the surface. The athletes could not move their arms or legs once they hit the water. Whoever plunged the furthest won.

Dressage (11 of 20)

Dressage, or horse dancing, might be the most refined Olympic sport. It’s another sport that doesn’t seem to require much skill, but those who have competed before will assure you that it’s not easy. But it is often used as a pawn when arguing for the inclusion of other sports.

Roque (12 of 20)

Roque, which is similar to croquet, is another one-time-only Olympic sport. The game was introduced at the 1904 Games in St. Louis, but like croquet, it didn’t last. However, the United States did get a medal in the sport, so it wasn’t a total bust.

Race walking (13 of 20)

Race walking, or speed walking, is exactly what it sounds like. Competitors see who can walk the fastest. When watching the sport, it seems like all the athletes are bordering on jogging, but that’s part of the fun. It’s one of those events that spectators think they could probably do but would actually be horrible at.

Rhythmic gymnastics (14 of 20)

The gymnastics we're most familiar with are the events that stars like Shawn Johnson and Simone Biles have dominated are called artistic gymnastics. Rhythmic gymnastics include props like hoops, balls, and ribbons.

BMX (15 of 20)

BMX is only obscure because it was just introduced to the Olympics at the 2020 Games. It could very well balloon in popularity as it continues to appear. It’s more dangerous than most Olympic sports, but it’s just as entertaining.

Table tennis (16 of 20)

You better believe table tennis is an Olympic sport. And it's absolutely wild. If you've never watched it before, give it a go at the next Summer Games. You'll be glad you did.

Canoe slalom (17 of 20)

As if canoeing weren't difficult enough as is, canoe slalom throws in a course through which contestants have to navigate. It's difficult and dangerous. And yes, it's an active Olympic event.

Live pigeon shooting (18 of 20)

Yes, once upon a time, at the Olympics, competitors were tasked with shooting live pigeons. For very clear reasons, this event was met with much protest, and it was eventually altered to use a different target before being eliminated altogether.

Obstacle swim (19 of 20)

Obstacle swim is exactly like it sounds. People swim through obstacles. Any sport in the water is incredible to behold, and this one is no different. Unfortunately, the sport isn't an Olympic event anymore.

Ski ballet (20 of 20)

Another sport that is exactly as it sounds, ski ballet combines skiing and ballet dancing. It's not too far off of figure skating when it comes to winter sports, except it's not performed on ice. This sport has been retired from the Olympics.