Solo synchronized swimming
UPSIDE DOWN: Israel’s Anastasia Gloushkov performed during a synchronized swimming solo final at the FINA World Championships in Shanghai Reuters/Christinne Muschi

The Olympics is one of the biggest sporting events in history. Through the years, some unique sports have also been included, and taken out, of the schedules for a number of reasons.

Here are some uncanny sports that used to be part of the Olympics.

1. Tug of war

From 1900 to 1920, tug of war was part of modern Olympics, where a couple of eight-person teams would pull a rope to bring their opponents six feet to win. After five minutes, the team who pulled their opponents that furthest won.

2. Solo synchronized swimming

According to The Observer, solo synchronized swimming was part of the Olympic events in 1984 but was removed in 1992. One of the main reasons why the sport was removed was because one person floating in a swimming pool could never by synchronized with anyone else. Some experts say that the lone performer had to be synchronized with the music. Ultimately, the Olympic organizers decided only to continue the group competitions.

3. Tumbling

The first winner in 1932 was Rowland "Flip" Wolfe from the United States who did a backflip with double twist. The competition was all about showing one's gravity-defying tumbling prowess. Reportedly, the Olympic organizers preferred the acrobatic performances in gymnastic events and found tumbling redundant.

4. Rugby football

It is one of the older forms of football where the ball was carried instead of kicked. The sport started in Great Britain and became high popular, making its way in the Olympics in 1900, 1908, 1920 and 1924, based on a report by Olympic.org. In 1995, the International Rugby Board turned the rugby union into an open sport, which allowed professional contests.

5. Golf

The sport has been part of the Olympics in 1904 and 1900. There were actually two competitions in 1900, for the men and women, respectively. Although golf remains to be one of the most popular sports in the world, with international competitions held every year in various countries, it never made its way back into the Olympics despite repeat proposals by different committees.

Other sports like polo, lacrosse, club swinging, cricket, etc. also used to be played at the Olympics at one time.