Surprising Sports at the Olympic Games | Wayne Emerson Gregory Jr, SC

The IOC came under fire when it added skateboarding to the Tokyo Olympics and introduced breakdancing to the 2024 Paris Olympics. Before every Olympic Games, several new sports are typically added. Breakdancing and skateboarding aren’t the only surprising additions to the event.

From the beginning of the Olympic Games in 1896, many odd sports have been introduced. Some were only briefly featured, while others were not officially recognized. Here is a list of surprising sports held at the Olympic Games.

Tug of War

From 1900 to 1920, tug-of-war was a part of the Olympic program. Participating nations could enter multiple clubs, which allowed them to win various medals. The US and Great Britain won gold, silver, and bronze medals in 1904 and 1908, respectively.

Solo Synchronized Swimming

In 2021, the event known as synchronized swimming was renamed to artistic swimming. It involves two individuals performing a routine with their chosen music. The Olympics previously featured solo synchronized swimming during the 1984 and 1988 Games.

Pistol Dueling

In 1906, the Olympics featured a sport known as pistol shooting, which involved shooting at dummies. It was an unofficial event, and in 1908, the competitors fired their guns at each other. Although no one was hurt, the bullets used were made of wax, and the duel participants wore protective masks.

Croquet

In 1900, the Olympics featured the first sport that featured women as competitors. Although it was very popular then, only ten people participated in the tournament, and only one spectator was allowed to watch. It didn’t return to the Olympics, but a variation of the game known as “roque” was introduced during the 1904 Games.

Plunging for Distance

During the 19th and 20th centuries, the sport of plunge for distance diving became very popular. In 1904, it was introduced as an official event at the Saint Louis Olympics. The goal of the game was to glide across the water without moving. The person who traveled the farthest won the competition.

Horse Long Jump

In addition to tug-of-war, obstacle swimming, and Croquet, there were several other unusual events. One of these was the horse long jump, an adaptation of an athletic event. The jumps in the equestrian event were shorter than those used in the men’s long jump. In the regular competition, Kraezlein secured the win with a jump of around 23 feet. The other competitor, a Belgian officer named Constant van Langhendonck, won the event with a jump of approximately 20 feet.

About Wayne Emerson Gregory Jr.

Wayne Emerson Gregory Jr., SC is a registered nurse in Georgia specializing in advanced cardiovascular life support, basic life support, and CPR and AED. Wayne also holds a certification in Stroke Scale from NIHSS. Wayne Emerson Gregory Jr. began his education career at Piedmont Technical College, where he earned a degree in Nursing in December 2019. He is currently completing his BSN with The University of Alabama and will graduate in August 2021. Wayne Emerson Gregory Jr. also holds a Bachelor of Arts in Government and Political Science from Furman University and a Master in Public Administration from Clemson University.

Wayne Emerson Gregory Jr. knows that when he is working in healthcare, each patient is unique and deserves to be treated as such. Not only is he dedicated to their physical health, but Wayne also prides himself on caring for the whole individual. Wayne specifically works in the ICU and medical-surgical departments, where he typically sees patients who have experienced trauma or recently had invasive surgery. That’s the time you would want a caring professional, and Gregory Jr. is just that!

Today, Wayne Emerson Gregory Jr. works as the owner of Gregory Equipment Sales in Spartanburg, South Carolina, a role he’s held since 2014. Wayne Emerson Gregory Jr., SC is a compassionate and committed healthcare professional. He cares deeply about each and every patient and strives to make their experience as enjoyable as possible.