As athletes from around the world begin to gear up for the 2021 Olympic games in Tokyo, many are excited about the opportunity to showcase their skills on the biggest stage of all. In the past, we’ve seen some of the most incredible displays of athleticism in sports like track and field, gymnastics, swimming, and more. But what about the sports that have never been a part of the Olympic games? Believe it or not, there are many exciting and unique sports out there that have never been given the chance to be included.
In this article, we’re going to take a closer look at some of the sports that have never been an official part of the Olympic games. From full-contact karate to ultimate frisbee, there are many amazing sports out there that deserve more recognition than they currently receive. We’ll explore the history of these sports, their growing popularity around the world, and the ways in which they could potentially be included in the Olympic games in the future.
Whether you’re a die-hard sports fan or just enjoy watching the Olympics every four years, you won’t want to miss this exciting exploration of some of the most unique and thrilling sports out there. While they may not be a part of the Olympic games just yet, there’s no denying that these sports have a passionate following and a bright future ahead of them. So get ready to learn more about the sports that have never been an Olympic sport and find out what makes them so exciting!
Unusual Olympic Sports
While many sports have come and gone from the Olympic Games throughout history, there are some that have never been included in the competition. These unusual sports may not have the same worldwide popularity or recognition as traditional Olympic sports, but they still have passionate fans and dedicated athletes who compete at the highest level.
Never-Seen Olympic Sports
- Chess – Despite being recognized as a sport by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), chess has yet to become an Olympic sport. In 1996, the IOC officially recognized chess as a sport, but it has not been included in the Olympic Games due to logistical challenges and concerns over its viewer appeal.
- Dancesport – Dancesport refers to competitive ballroom dancing, which has been recognized as a sport by the IOC since 1997. Despite repeated efforts to include dancesport in the Olympics, it has yet to make its debut.
- Ultimate Frisbee – Ultimate Frisbee, a popular team sport played with a frisbee, has gained widespread popularity in recent years. Despite being recognized by the IOC, it has not yet been included in the Olympic Games due to concerns over its amateur status and lack of international organization.
Exhibition Sports
While not official Olympic events, exhibition sports have been included in past games as a way to showcase unique or culturally significant sports. Some of the most memorable examples include:
- Cricket – Cricket was included in the Paris Olympics in 1900, but has not been included since. The event was poorly attended, with only two teams participating.
- Tug of War – Tug of War was included as an Olympic sport from 1900 to 1920. The event drew large crowds and was fiercely competitive, but was ultimately removed due to concerns over professionalism and safety.
- Polo – Polo was included as an exhibition sport in the 1936 Olympics in Berlin. The event was well-received, but was not made an official Olympic sport due to the high cost of maintaining horses and equipment.
Conclusion
While the Olympic Games feature some of the world’s most popular and widely recognized sports, there are still many unusual and unique sports that have yet to be included. Whether due to logistical challenges, concerns over safety, or lack of international organization, these sports continue to have a passionate following and dedicated athletes who strive for recognition on the world stage.
| Sport | Recognition by IOC |
|---|---|
| Chess | Officially recognized by the IOC in 1996 |
| Dancesport | Officially recognized by the IOC in 1997 |
| Ultimate Frisbee | Recognized by the IOC in 2015 |
(Table source: International Olympic Committee)
Olympics Legends
The Olympics have been the world’s biggest sporting event for over a century, drawing in athletes and spectators from all corners of the globe. Throughout its history, the Olympics have included a diverse range of sports, from the traditional track and field events to more recently added sports such as skateboarding and surfing. However, despite the inclusion of such a wide range of sports, some activities were never included. Let’s take a look at some of the most notable Olympics legends who could have competed in these nonexistent events.
Athletes who could have excelled in the Nonexistent Olympic Sports
- Michael Jordan: Although basketball has been a part of the Olympics since 1936, the legendary Michael Jordan would have undoubtedly excelled in the slam dunk contest, a sport that has never been a part of the Olympics. His gravity-defying leaps and incredible athleticism would have made him a sure-shot winner.
- Muhammad Ali: Boxing has been an Olympic sport since 1904, but imagine if the heavyweight champion of all time could have participated in the non-existent event of shadowboxing. Ali’s lightning-fast moves and unparalleled footwork would have left any competitor in the dust.
- Usain Bolt: The Jamaican sprinter’s incredible speed and agility have earned him the title of the fastest man on the planet. However, he could have added another feather to his cap if the Olympics had included the sport of tag. His lightning-fast reflexes and agility would have made him a formidable opponent on the tag field.
The Non-existent Olympic Events that Never Made it
Despite the efforts of many to include more obscure sports, some events have never made it to the Olympics. Among them:
- The Olympic Egg-and-Spoon Race
- The Olympic Sack Race
- The Olympic Tug-of-War
Tug-of-War: A Brief Olympic History
Tug-of-war first made its Olympic debut in the 1900 Paris Games. The sport, which involved teams of eight men on each side tugging on a rope, was a popular event in the early years of the Olympics. In fact, it remained a part of the Olympics until 1920, after which it was discontinued. While it may not be the most glamorous or exciting of sports, it was certainly a grueling test of strength and endurance for those who took part.
| Year Held | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 1900 | Tug-of-War | Paris, France |
| 1904 | Tug-of-War | St. Louis, USA |
| 1906 | Tug-of-War | Athens, Greece |
| 1908 | Tug-of-War | London, UK |
| 1912 | Tug-of-War | Stockholm, Sweden |
| 1920 | Tug-of-War | Antwerp, Belgium |
While some may argue that the inclusion of such sports would diminish the prestige of the Olympics, there is no denying that athletes of all types and abilities would have something to aspire to. And who knows, we might one day see egg-and-spoon races and sack races on the Olympic stage, thanks to the efforts of enthusiasts around the world.
Olympic History Facts
The Olympic Games have a long and fascinating history, dating back to ancient Greece. Over the years, the Games have evolved and changed in many ways, including the addition and removal of various sports. While many popular sports have become Olympic events, there are some that have never been included in the program.
- Cricket – Despite its popularity in many countries, cricket has never been an Olympic sport. There have been efforts to include it in the Games, but so far, they have been unsuccessful.
- Squash – Despite being a popular and physically demanding sport, squash has never been included in the Olympic program. It has been a part of the World Games, an international multi-sport event, since 1993.
- Karate – Karate has been a demonstration sport in the Olympics before, but it has never been an official event. It is set to make its Olympic debut at the upcoming 2021 Tokyo Games.
Equestrian events have been included in the Olympics since 1900, but there is one discipline that has never been a part of the program: polo. Polo was played in the 1900 and 1936 Games as a demonstration sport, but it has never been an official Olympic event.
| Year | Host City | New Sports added to Program |
|---|---|---|
| 1900 | Paris, France | Women’s events, equestrian events, golf, rugby |
| 1988 | Seoul, South Korea | Taekwondo, table tennis, tennis |
| 2021 | Tokyo, Japan | Surfing, skateboarding, sport climbing, karate |
Over the years, the Olympic program has expanded and contracted, with new sports added and old ones removed. Despite the exclusion of some popular sports, the Games continue to be a celebration of athleticism, skill, and teamwork.
Summer Olympic Games
The Summer Olympics is a major international multi-sport event that takes place every four years. It features thousands of athletes from all over the world competing in various sports. The Summer Olympics have been held regularly since the year 1896, and the number of sports has steadily increased over the years. However, there are still some sports that have never been included in the Summer Olympics.
- Polo – Polo is a sport that involves riders on horseback using mallets to hit a ball through a set of goals. It was once a popular sport in many countries, but it has never been included in the Summer Olympics despite attempts to include it.
- Water Skiing – Water skiing is a sport that involves being pulled along a body of water by a boat, while using skis to balance and maneuver. While it is a popular sport around the world, it has never been included in the Summer Olympics.
- Surfing – Surfing is a sport that involves riding waves on a surfboard. It has gained popularity in recent years, but it has still not been included in the Summer Olympics.
There are several reasons why these sports and others have not been included in the Summer Olympics. One reason is that there are already many sports and limited resources to host them all. Another reason is that some sports may not meet the criteria for Olympic competition, such as the availability of facilities and the number of countries with established governing bodies for that sport.
Despite not being an Olympic sport, these sports have their own world championships and international competitions where athletes can compete at the highest level. And who knows, perhaps one day they may be added to the Olympic roster.
| Sport | Year Proposed for Inclusion | Reason for Rejection |
|---|---|---|
| Polo | 1900 | Insufficient number of teams |
| Water Skiing | 1972 | Not a widespread international sport |
| Surfing | 1996 | Not enough countries with established governing bodies |
Although these sports have not yet been included in the Summer Olympics, they still provide athletes with the opportunity to showcase their skills on the global stage and challenge themselves against the best in the world.
Winter Olympic Games
Every four years, the Winter Olympics brings together the world’s top athletes to compete in various winter sports. Throughout its history, several sports have been added and removed from the list of Olympic events. While some activities seem like a natural fit for the Winter Games, there are also some surprising options that have never been part of the event.
What has never been an Olympic sport in the Winter Games?
- Snowboarding: Believe it or not, snowboarding was not always an Olympic sport. It wasn’t until the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan, that snowboarding was included as a discipline.
- Speed skating: Although speed skating has been a part of the Winter Olympics since the first event in Chamonix, France, in 1924, it only became a permanent fixture in 1960.
- Ice hockey: It may be hard to imagine the Winter Olympics without ice hockey, but the sport wasn’t added to the event until the 1920 Summer Olympics in Antwerp, Belgium, before it became part of the Winter Games list in Chamonix.
- Curling: Curling has been contested in the Winter Olympics since the 1998 Nagano Games, but it wasn’t until the 2006 Turin Games that the sport became a permanent part of the event.
- Skeleton: Skeleton is one of the most thrilling winter sports to watch, but it was only added to the Winter Olympics in 2002, after a 54-year absence.
- Ski jump: Ski jumping was one of the original winter sports included in the first Winter Olympics in 1924, but it wasn’t until 2014 that women’s ski jumping was added to the program.
Why are some sports excluded from the Winter Olympics?
The International Olympic Committee is responsible for deciding which sports are included in the Olympic Games. When selecting the events, factors such as tradition, popularity, and athlete participation are taken into account. While some sports may seem like a perfect fit, there may not be enough international interest or participation to justify including them in the Winter Games. Additionally, having too many events can make the Olympics a logistical nightmare, which can lead to fewer viewers and a less enjoyable experience for fans.
The Future of the Winter Olympics
As the Winter Olympics continues to grow and evolve, it’s likely that we will see more changes to the list of events. While it’s always exciting to see new sports added to the lineup, some traditional winter sports may be left out in the process. Only time will tell which sports will make the cut for the next Winter Games.
| Year | Host City | New or Removed Sports |
|---|---|---|
| 1998 | Nagano, Japan | Removed: Curling (demonstration) |
| 2002 | Salt Lake City, USA | New: Skeleton Removed: Military patrol, demonstration sports |
| 2006 | Turin, Italy | New: Biathlon mixed relay, ski cross, snowboard cross Removed: Figure skating team event, ski ballet |
| 2010 | Vancouver, Canada | New: Ski cross (previously only snowboard cross), ski jumping women’s normal hill, ski halfpipe, ski slopestyle Removed: None |
| 2014 | Sochi, Russia | New: Ski halfpipe women’s, ski slopestyle women’s, women’s ski jumping normal hill, Biathlon mixed relay Removed: None |
| 2018 | Pyeonchang, South Korea | New: Big air snowboarding, mass start speed skating, mixed doubles curling Removed: None |
Sources:
- https://edition.cnn.com/2021/01/26/sport/winter-olympic-sports-complexity-spt-intl/index.html
- https://www.insider.com/every-winter-olympic-sport-ranked-from-easiest-to-hardest-2018-1
- https://www.olympic.org/sports
Modern Olympic Games
The Modern Olympic Games, which were first inaugurated in 1896, have seen a great and diverse range of sports added and removed from the official list of events over time. Currently, there are 33 sports and 51 disciplines recognized as Olympic sports by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
However, there are several sports that have never been included in the Olympics as an official event. Some of these sports may have been popular in certain regions, but have never received the international recognition necessary to make them an Olympic sport. Here are seven examples of popular sports that have yet to be included in the Games:
- Cricket: A sport that is popular in many countries, including England, India, and Australia. Although it has been played in the Olympics in the past (in 1900), it has never been included as an official event.
- Netball: A team sport that is similar to basketball, but played exclusively by women. It is a popular sport in countries such as Australia, New Zealand, and Jamaica, but has yet to be included in the Olympics.
- Karate: A martial art that originated in Okinawa, Japan. It has been a candidate for inclusion in the Olympics several times, but has yet to be added as an official event.
- Cheerleading: Although it is considered a sport in many countries, it has yet to be recognized as an Olympic sport. However, in 2016, the International Cheer Union was granted provisional recognition by the IOC, which may be a step towards inclusion in future Games.
- Squash: A racket sport that is played in over 185 countries. It has been a candidate for inclusion in the Olympics several times, but has yet to be added as an official event.
- Bowling: A sport that is played in over 100 countries and is recognized by the International Olympic Committee. However, it has yet to be included as an official event.
- Surfing: A sport that involves riding waves on a board. It is a popular sport in many coastal regions around the world, but has yet to be included in the Olympics as an official event.
While these sports may not have made the cut as Olympic events, it is important to note that the IOC is constantly evaluating new sports and reviewing their eligibility for inclusion in future Games.
| Sport | Description | Reason for not being included in the Olympics |
|---|---|---|
| Cricket | A bat-and-ball game that is popular in many countries | Not recognized as a global sport and limited international interest |
| Netball | A team sport similar to basketball, but played exclusively by women | Historically, women’s sports have been underrepresented in the Olympics |
| Karate | A martial art that originated in Okinawa, Japan | Has not met the criteria for inclusion in the Olympics, including universality and gender equality |
| Cheerleading | A sport that involves dance, acrobatics, and cheerleading stunts | Not widely recognized as a sport and lacks a centralized international governing body |
| Squash | A racket sport played in over 185 countries | Has not met the criteria for inclusion in the Olympics, including universality and global interest |
| Bowling | A sport played in over 100 countries using a ball and pins | Has not met the criteria for inclusion in the Olympics, including global interest and participation |
| Surfing | A sport that involves riding waves on a board | Has not met the criteria for inclusion in the Olympics, including global interest and universality |
While it may be disappointing for fans of these sports that they have not been included in the Olympics, the Games continue to serve as a global platform for athletes to showcase their talents and achieve greatness.
What has never been an Olympic sport?
1. Is video gaming an Olympic sport?
No, video gaming has never been a sport in the Olympics. However, there are talks about adding it as an Olympic sport in the future.
2. Has cheerleading ever been an Olympic sport?
No, cheerleading has never been an Olympic sport. However, there have been discussions about adding cheerleading as an Olympic sport in the future.
3. Is surfing an Olympic sport?
Surfing has been approved as an Olympic sport and is set to debut at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.
4. Has parkour ever been an Olympic sport?
Parkour has never been an Olympic sport, but there have been discussions about adding it as an Olympic sport in the future.
5. Is skateboarding an Olympic sport?
Skateboarding has been approved as an Olympic sport and made its debut at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.
6. Has bocce ball ever been an Olympic sport?
No, bocce ball has never been an Olympic sport.
Closing
Those were 6 FAQs about what has never been an Olympic sport. While some activities like skateboarding and surfing have been approved for certain Olympic Games, some others like cheerleading and video gaming still have a chance to make it into future Olympic Games. Thanks for reading, and don’t forget to check back for more exciting articles in the future!