The Top Five Weirdest Olympic Events

The Olympics is the biggest and best sporting event in the world. It has showcased, and continues to showcase, a range of events. In this article I will countdown some of the weirdest events that have ever graced the Olympic Games.

5. 3000m Steeplechase (1896 - present)

To me, this event just looks random. It seems that someone was short of Olympic events so took the 3,000 metres and threw a hurdle every 200m or so! To add to that, they put water behind one of the barriers!

I wonder if anyone grows up and says "I want to be a 3000m steeplechaser when I'm older." Somehow I doubt it. What was wrong with the normal 3000m?

4. Motor Boating (1908)

Unsurprisingly this event didn't make it past one Olympic appearance. London were the hosts for this shambles of an event, where people simply raced a motor boat against others. No athletic ability was needed.

While you may not think this sounds too bad, remember, this was in 1908, when they thought going too fast would cause your head to explode. The boats therefore never got over 20 mph.

3. Horse Long Jump (1900)

Again, this unsurprisingly only appeared at one Olympics. The concept was simply human long jump, but instead of the human part, you have horses.

I'm guessing a few of them struggled on the landing technique, and maybe got a few foot fouls. Or hoof fouls, as they case may be.

The poor horses didn't even get to go onto the podium and collect their medals!

2. Horse High Jump (1900)

Another product of the genius mind who decided to get horses to do what humans did. I don't know why he didn't choose a horse 100m, it would've been better. Still, a horse high jump competition outdoes even the horse long jump.

Again, though, the horse who could jump highest didn't even get to collect its medal. I wonder how they did qualifying for this?

1. Solo Synchronized Swimming (1992)

Yes, you read that right. The 1992 Olympic games saw Solo Synchronized Swimming as an actual registered event. Nobody seemed to tell the inventor of this that you need two people to be in sync.

Apparently the idea was that the swimmer was in sync with the music. Sorry, but solo synchronized swimming is not only the weirdest Olympic event of all time, it is the stupidest as well. By far.

Honourable mentions:

Walking

Rope Climb

Live Pigeon Shooting

Pistol Dueling

Tug of War

We certainly have seen our fair share of weird and wonderful Olympic events. Please feel free to share any other weird events I may have missed!

*One more event has just come to my attention that just has to be mentioned. In 1900 there was a Poodle Clipping event!*