Each year, the International Olympic Committee recognizes new sports to enter into the Olympics. Usually, these events involve new, trendy sports that people will take interest in for a few years. However, I propose the IOC should bring back some of the great lost Olympic events. These sports once had proud medalists up on the podium and would be a welcome addition to the future Olympics.
TUG OF WAR
This event was held in six Olympic contests between 1900 and 1920, with the USA taking the gold in 1904. An eight-man team would need to pull six feet of rope from the opponent to win. If five minutes lapsed without a winner, whoever had pulled the furthest won. Why this sport was booted from the Olympics, I have no idea. Tug of war is a combination of brute strength with good strategy that includes foot placement and choice of grip. Anyone who was ever under the age of 25 has participated in this sport, probably loving every moment. It once filled our middle school track and field days, color wars and camp fights, and should continue forward. One possible amendment to the sport would be the dreaded mud pit in the middle that the losing team falls into, a la Revenge of the Nerds.
UNDERWATER SWIMMING RACE
This sport basically is a summer swimming pool event between small kids attempting to show something; whether it is their ability to swim or their ability to drown, no one knows. For up to 60 meters, competitors gained two points for each meter swum and one point for each second they remained underwater. Held only once in 1900, this event needs to return to bring back memories of double-dares from friends and hold our rapt attention while one Charles DeVandeville swims the entire length of 60m in 1:08:04. Possible changes to add excitement would be to add severe undertow or seaweed.
LIVE PIGEON SHOOTING
Also held in 1900, live pigeon shooting only lasted one year because of its violence. After pigeons were released, the competitors would shoot as many birds as possible to win. Leon de Lunden stole the gold with 21 birds. Some spectators complained of the dead bird mess falling into the crowds, blood and feathers everywhere. Anyone who has been to a city knows pigeons are way too numerous anyway, and with the carrier pigeon already extinct, pigeons do nothing. PETA would probably object, but this event could really shake things up and get those hunting fanatics and pigeon haters more interested in the Olympics. Possible reforms to the game would be shooting the pigeons so they end up on the ground in a pattern, which would be judged on artistic appeal, or perhaps using the pigeons to make a meal a la "Iron Chef."
ROPE CLIMBING
Held five times between 1886 and 1932, the rope climb is self-explanatory. Men would climb a rope of varying length (10-20 feet) hanging from a ceiling. In the 1896 Olympics, men had to climb with their legs held horizontal and straight. Apparently, only one or two men actually reached the top that year. Rope climbing is totally hardcore and people in the army do it all the time. The only objectively judged gymnastic event (think of the middle school gym class when you would climb the rope), the rope climb is a measure of immense arm strength and total body control. I can see youngsters fighting over their favorite rope climbing hero and then running off to their backyard to fashion their own practice area. Possible revisions would be to grease the rope, or to have competitors use only one hand and a foot, if that would even be possible.
CHARIOT RACING
Although this event was only in ancient Olympics, it should clearly be made a modern standard. The chariots would be in traditional form, blades on the wheels and all, and authentic uniforms would also be required. Like classic Ben Hur style, 12 chariot teams would spring from the starting line and race for seven laps. Horseracing aficionados would have their hook and women could see hot men nearly naked. In addition, those who love intrigue would enjoy all the great scandal, from illegal betting, to doping, to poisoning of opponents' horses. Possible adjustments to the event would be to include opposing politicians as the charioteers. I can hear the commentary now: "And it looks like Bush has fallen out of his chariot and ... Oh! The crush of bones as he lays in the dust. His leg has been severed from his body by Kerry's wheel as he takes the turn."
Anne Duggan '06 is currently training for the Skip-It demonstration event in the 2008 Olympics.
