Photo from ISTAF Facebook
Sepak Takraw has joined the bandwagon of sports seeking for inclusion at the Olympics.
It is a long shot and need plenty of committment from the International Sepak Takraw Federation (ISTAF) and its members
A number of sports including squash have been trying hard for years now without much success.
Some sports that were in the Olympics have also found themselves unable to get back in the fold, including softball and baseball.
Since the first modern Olympics in 1896 several sports have also found themselves completely shut off, among them tug of war and cricket.
Croquet, Jeu de Paume, pelota, polo, roque, rackets, lacrosse and motor boating are other sports that were discontinued from the Olympics.
While the Olympics is seen as the epitome of sports, it has seen some strange events being competed in the past.
EQUESTRIAN VAULTING
At the 1920 Games, men’s vaulting was an equestrian event at the Olympics. It was essentially gymastics on horseback. Only three countries fielded athletes in the event and it was never included at the Games again.
CLUB SWINGING
Club swinging was contested at both the 1904 and 1932 Games. Seen as a precursor to rhythmic gymnastics, it required participants to two clubs that resemble bowling pins.
LIVE PIGEON SHOOTING
Yes, they actually shot down live pigeons at the 1900 edition hosted by Paris. Almost 300 pigeons were killed in the name of sport.
The event was scrapped for good following the bloody mess.
RUNNING DEER SHOOTING
Not to worry. No live deers were involved in this event, only deer shaped targets.
It was part of the Olympic program from 1908 to 1948.
The event consisted of a deer-shaped target which made ten 75-feet runs. Depending on the event, shooters took one or two shots at the target during each run.
The target had three concentric circles. The smallest circle carried four points, three for the middle circle, and the outermost circle carried two points.
SWIMMING OBSTACLE COURSE
Once again it was Paris that introduced this event at the 1900 Olympics.
The event was held on a 200 meter course in the Seine. Competitors were required to crawl over boats as well swim under them and also climbing up poles.
It would have been a colourful event but was discontinued after its debut.
ROLLER HOCKEY
The 1992 Barcelona Games saw roller hockey making its first and last appearance at the Olympics.
Straight out of the disco era, roller hockey followed the rules of ice hockey. The only exceptions being it played with roller blades and on normal hard surface.
PLUNGE FOR DISTANCE AND UNDERWATER SWIMMING
Underwater swimming was introduced at the 1900 Games where swimmers are required to swim entirely below the surface.
The event is held over a maximum of 60m, where competitors were awarded two points for each meter swum underwater, and one point for each second that they stayed under water.
As much of the action took place underwater it hardly attracted any spectators and the event was scratched at future Games.
Similarly, plunge for distance was discontinued after making its debut at the 1904 Games. The divers start with a standing dive and had to remain motionless underwater for one minute or until their heads broke the surface of the water, whichever came first.
Numerous other sports and events were also discontinued from the Olympics. These includes solo synchronised swimming (1984-1992), La canne (1924) and rope climbing (1896).
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