Cheers to the Olympics

Not every Olympic event has been a success. Some, like live pigeon shooting and equestrian high jump, lasted just one year. Here's a look at some other sports no longer in the Olympic program:

Rope climb (1896, 1904, 1924, 1932): Using only their hands, competitors try to see how fast they can get to the top of the rope.

One-hand weightlifting (1896): Similar to the modern snatch event, but athletes were only allowed to use one hand.

Tug-of-war (1900-1920): Two teams of eight try to pull a rope six feet; if neither team reaches the mark after five minutes, the team that pulls the farthest wins.

Standing high jump (1900-1912): Same as the traditional high jump, only without a run-up.
Standing broad jump (1900-1912): The long jump without a run-up.
Standing triple jump (1900-1904): Also known as the hop, step and jump; started from a stationary position.

Underwater swimming (1900): Swimmers were awarded points for how far they went and how long they stayed under water.
Swimming obstacle race (1900): Racers had to swim through the River Seine, climb up and down a pole, then go over and under several boats.

Live pigeon shooting (1900): The birds were released and shooters tried to kill as many as possible.

Equestrian high jump (1900): Riders see who can jump the highest on horseback.
Equestrian long jump (1900): Long jumping on horseback.

Basque pelota (1900): A form of handball played mostly on the border of Spain and France.

Rugby union (1900, 1908-24): One of the most popular team sports in the world still waiting to get back into the Olympics.

56-pound weight throw (1904, 1920): A 56-pound weight affixed with a handle that's thrown over a pole vault bar.
All-around dumbbell contest (1904): Competitors performed 10 different lifts with dumbbells over two days.

Club swinging (1904): Similar to rhythmic gymnastics, only the competitors swing clubs around their bodies.

Plunge diving (1904): From a standing position, divers see how far they can go without taking a stroke.

Duelling pistol (1906): Shooters fired at mannequins wearing frock coats and bull's-eyes on their chests.

Motor boating (1908): Three categories of races in boats; IOC later decided against allowing anything with a motor.

Jeu de paume (1908): Similar to squash, only competitors use their hands instead of a racket to strike the ball.

Plain high diving (1912-24): Divers were not allowed to do any acrobatic moves; they just dove straight into the water.

Tumbling (1932): Athletes do flips and twists along a two-foot-wide strip; now part of the modern gymnastics floor exercise.

Solo synchronized swimming (1984-92): Swimmers were awarded points based on routines synchronized to music.

So- I'm all for adding Tug-of-War back in!!! Good stuff...