The Olympics are a time of joy, bringing together the world's nations in athletic competition. Swimming, track and gymnastics may be fun, but these sports are just so interesting, weird and almost pointless, you have to watch them.
8. Table Tennis
Usually considered to be a fun backyard game, table tennis has been a competitive Olympic sport since 1988. The intensity is palpable as the competitors smack the tiny plastic ball back and forth on a table.
7. Badminton
The ultimate lawn game gets intense in Olympic badminton. Badminton ranks as the second most popular sport in the world. It’s just like if you took tennis and added some volleyball and feathers.
6. Steeplechase
Steeplechase is just a strange concept. Competitors run laps around a track, and every few meters they jump over large hurdles (like horses), then splash through a pool of water on the other side. The soggy-footed athletes run almost 2 miles total in this weird 3000 meter race.
5. Modern Pentathlon
Five very different sports come together in the modern pentathlon: fencing, swimming, show jumping on horseback, running and shooting. This competition takes place at numerous venues over multiple days. This sport just sounds like someone could decide which sport they were better at, so they just put them all together.
4. Trampoline
The bounciest Olympic sport out there, trampoline, has been an olympic sport since 2000. Contestants perform acrobatic routines by bouncing up to 30 feet in the air. Why is it it’s own sport and not part of gymnastics? The world may never know.
3. Synchronized Swimming
Waterproof makeup and nose plugs come together in this insanely weird sport. In the Olympics since the 1980s (shocker), teams up women splash around in unison while wearing ridiculous swimsuits.
2. Rhythmic Gymnastics
Hula hooping is taken to the next level in this Olympic sport. Unlike regular gymnastics (also known as “artistic gymnastics”), rhythmic gymnastics combines flexibility with props. Individuals or teams of 5 or more use ropes, hoops, balls, clubs or ribbons to perform floor routines for judges. It is the perfect balance of incredible and slightly pointless.
1. Racewalking
The sassiest and weirdest Olympic sport of all time is racewalking. Categorized as a track and field event, competitors walk around a fixed track, sometimes walking up to 30 miles. If you are caught running, one of the many judges positioned around the track, will flash a red paddle in your face, immediately disqualifying you. Why is this an event? Why can’t they all just run?? These are the true questions of life.
