Some of the strangest moments in sports history involve athletes, events, and decisions that seem almost too unusual to be real.
1. A Horse Pulled Skiers at the Olympics
At the 1928 Winter Olympics in St. Moritz, skijoring appeared as a demonstration event.
Competitors were pulled across a frozen lake by horses while standing on skis. The unusual Scandinavian sport never became a permanent Olympic event. (HISTORY)
2. Olympic Athletes Once Climbed Ropes for Medals
Rope climbing was an official Olympic gymnastics event in the early Games.
At the 1896 Olympics, competitors climbed a 14-metre rope. The event later disappeared as Olympic gymnastics became more standardized. (International Society of Olympic Historians)
3. A Baseball Pitcher Threw 12 Perfect Innings and Still Lost
In 1959, Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Harvey Haddix retired 36 consecutive Milwaukee Braves batters through 12 innings.
He finally lost the perfect game in the 13th inning after an error and a hit allowed the winning run. It remains one of baseball’s most remarkable performances without a victory.
4. An Olympic Race Included a Car Ride
During the chaotic 1904 Olympic marathon, Cuban runner Félix Carvajal reportedly lost his money after arriving in the United States and had to make his way to St. Louis by walking and hitchhiking.
During the race itself, another competitor briefly rode in a car before returning to the course. (Smithsonian Magazine)
5. An Athlete Competed With a Wooden Leg
German-American gymnast George Eyser competed at the 1904 St. Louis Olympics with a wooden prosthetic leg.
He won six medals in one day, including three golds, making his achievement one of the most extraordinary performances in early Olympic history. (International Society of Olympic Historians)
6. An Olympic Sport Involved Shooting Pigeons
At the 1900 Paris Olympics, live pigeon shooting was included in the program, with competitors attempting to hit released birds.
It was the only Olympic appearance of the event, and the Games soon moved toward less controversial shooting disciplines. (International Society of Olympic Historians)
The early history of organized sport was far less standardized than today’s competitions—and sometimes downright bizarre.