As the 2024 Paris Olympic Games gets off to a smashing start, we all have our favourite sections we’re just dying to watch. The Olympics are known for showcasing some of the most popular sports in the world, like athletics, swimming, and gymnastics. However, the Games also feature many lesser-known sports that are equally exciting and challenging, and might just leave you wanting more.
Let’s dive into some of these hidden gems and discover the unique rules, history, and skills required to compete in them.
1. Modern Pentathlon
The Modern Pentathlon was introduced at the 1912 Stockholm Olympics, inspired by the skills needed by a 19th-century cavalry soldier. It’s the only sport that’s actually been created specifically for the Olympic Games, and combines five distinct sports: fencing, swimming, equestrian show jumping, shooting, and running.
The Modern Pentathlon used to be separated into 5 different days for the 5 different sections, but now it’s all held on the one day. The sport is intended to test an athletes’ fitness, courage and skill by putting them through these varying sections.
2. Canoe Slalom
Basically competitive canoeing, Canoe Slalom made its Olympic debut in 1972 in Munich, and became permanent in the 1992 Barcelona Games. For this sport, athletes navigate a decked canoe (or kayak) through a course of hanging gates on river rapids in the fastest time possible. To excel at this sport, you’ve got to have excellent boat control, agility, and strength to manoeuvre through turbulent waters. Precision and quick decision-making are also super important if you want to avoid penalties.
3. Handball
Ok, so you’ve probably heard of handball before, but we’re not talking about the kind you and your mate play on cement slabs with some random rubber ball.
Handball is an actual Olympic sport, and has been part of the Olympic program since the 1936 Berlin Games. The official Olympic version of handball is a fast-paced team sport that combines elements of basketball, soccer, and hockey. It has 2 teams of 7 players each, and both sides compete to score goals by throwing a ball into the opposing team’s net.
4. Trampoline Gymnastics
Yep, it’s just what it sounds like: gymnastics, but on a trampoline.Trampoline gymnastics debuted semi-recently at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, and involves athletes performing acrobatic moves while bouncing on a trampoline, aiming for height, complexity, and precision.
If participating in the trampoline gymnastics segment, you have to perform two routines: one compulsory and one voluntary. The routines are then judged based on difficulty, execution, and time of flight (height).
5. Race Walking
Its walking…but it’s a race. Race walking has been an Olympic event since the early 20th century, and it’s a long-distance discipline with strict rules on technique. Basically, Athletes have to maintain contact with the ground at all times, and keep their leading leg straight til it passes under the body – that’s what makes it different from running. It’s actually really hard to do, especially when distances for the sport in the Olympics range from 20 kilometres to 50 kilometres.
Want more?
The Olympics are a super exciting time to be cheering on the champions of the sporting world, but have you ever wanted to make sports a career for yourself? Why not check out our blog on 10 jobs for sporty people, or how to make study fun by incorporating fitness. We’ve also got tons more study tips and advice on alternative careers on our website here.