fbpx

Olympic Sports That Really Shouldn’t be in the Olympics

Olympic Sports That Really Shouldn’t be in the Olympics

1 of 11

The Olympic Games are an international sensation, and athletes train for years to compete at the highest level in the world. But while their dedication and energy is absolutely something to be admired, there are some sports that are hard to respect. Not that they don’t take skill, but calling them sport is a little bit of a stretch.

En.Wikipedia.org
En.Wikipedia.org

Dressage

The International Equestrian Federation describes dressage as “the highest expression of horse training” where “horse and rider are expected to perform from memory a series of predetermined movements.” So what does that mean? Horse dancing. It’s rhythmic gymnastics for horses. Which is silly enough, but shouldn’t the medals at least go to the horses?

TheGuardian.com
TheGuardian.com

Trampoline

I thought it was the thing that did to practice getting better at a different sport, but apparently trampoline is a sport in its own right at this point. Yes, it’s impressive how high the athletes can get and do flippies and stuff, but come on. Also, synchronized trampoline exists, and it’s both awesome and useless.

Wired.com
Wired.com

Steeplechase

Though it’s been around forever, it’s kind of absurd. Think of those Tough Mudder races that force runners to run through fire, under wires, and through giant puddles of mud. In steeplechase, Olympic athletes jump over walls (not hurdles, in that they don’t fall down if you don’t clear them…meaning YOU are the one that falls down) and into puddles of water before continuing around the track. You know what? On the other hand, maybe this one should stick around.

En.Wikipedia.org
En.Wikipedia.org

Curling (Winter Olympics)

It’s described as chess on ice. That should be reason enough to get rid of it. But diehard curlers will explain the game in great detail, from the initial slide of the stone to the “sweepers” that help guide it to the target to the riotous yelling that goes on that seems incredibly out of place.

NYTimes.com
NYTimes.com

Race Walking/Speed Walking

It’s mall walking at its finest, and the athletes are nothing if not phenomenally talented at making everyone laugh at how funny they look competing. One foot needs to stay on the ground at all times so nobody can run, and it’s just hilarious. But maybe not Olympics-worthy.

Telegraph.co.uk
Telegraph.co.uk

Shooting

Though they don’t use real pigeons anymore, it’s still a little bizarre that an activity that usually belongs on a gun range has been made into an Olympic sport. Though it’s been reinvented nearly every year, it’s also been contested by large groups every year and it might be time for it to be done.

ChinaDaily.com.cn
ChinaDaily.com.cn

Synchronized Diving

Just do it one at a time. There’s no need for synchrony in everything.

Telegraph.co.uk
Telegraph.co.uk

Modern Pentathlon

It consists of fencing, 200-meter freestyle swimming, show jumping, pistol shooting, and a 3,200-meter cross-country run. Not only does the compilation of events make absolutely no sense, but some of the events (re: shooting, see above), have no business in the Olympics to begin with. While I understand that the pentathlon goes back to the ancient Olympics, couldn’t they pick better events?

NL.Wikipedia.org
NL.Wikipedia.org

Biathlon (Winter Olympics)

Competitors complete a cross-country race, take five shots at a target, and rinse and repeat until they’ve completed all of the necessary loops. WHY IS THERE SO MUCH SHOOTING IN THE OLYMPICS?

UberPong.com
UberPong.com

Ping Pong

I’m sorry, a sport that is more often played in your mother’s basement should not be celebrated on the Olympic stage. Although it’s a little bit incredible the things that some people can do with a ping pong paddle and ball.