Farewell to Past Olympic Events

Even with the dozens of events at this year's summer Olympics, some events have not been offered in competition for decades. What ever happened to:

Solo Synchronized Swimming? From 1985 to 1992, this event featured one swimmer in sync with her music performing what could only be viewed as a lonely ballet in the pool.

Club Swinging? Clubs resembling bowling pins were used in a twisting, twirling kind of routine, the harder and more intricate the better. This was the precursor of the rhythmic hoops and ribbons. Club swinging ended as an event in 1932.

Live Pigeon Shooting? The 1900 Olympics in Paris had the great distinction of being the first Games where women competed. It also wore the ignoble badge for this sport, where athletes aimed to bring down as many pigeons as possible.  Nearly 300 birds were slain, historians say, leaving a bloody, feathery mess. The winner shot down 21 pigeons.

Swimming Obstacle Course? The venue was the Seine river, where swimmers had to dodge obstacles floating in the river and even climb a pole at one point. They climbed over and swam under boats and other flotsam placed there for the enjoyment of the spectators.

La Canne? Same as fencing but using a cane, yes the very type of cane used to steady one's wobbly legs as one ages.

Trampoline and Rope Climbing? Not anymore. Gym teachers took over these events and moved them into high school Physical Education classes.

How about long jump and high jump...for horses?

Only women could compete in croquet. This event garnered so little interest that only one spectator ticket was sold and the event was canceled in subsequent Olympics.


(thanks to CNN and npr on-line for most of the above information)

And that's what I think about it.