The Most Ridiculous Olympic Sport: An Entertaining Evaluation of Unconventional Disciplines

Voting rules: Choose the Game you think is the most ridiculous!

Updated on Sep 25, 2023 12:08

Welcome to StrawPoll's wackiest rankings yet! We've dived into the wild world of Olympic sports to bring you a thrilling and bizarre showdown of the most ridiculous events ever to grace the international stage. From the slippery slopes of ski ballet to the puzzling world of race walking, our list of outrageous Olympic sports is sure to leave you scratching your head and questioning the limits of human competition. So, what are you waiting for? Cast your vote now for the most absurd Olympic sport, or, if you think we've missed an even more preposterous event, suggest it, and watch the madness unfold as fellow sports-enthusiasts weigh in on this ultimate battle of the bizarre!

What Is the Most Ridiculous Olympic Sport? (October 2023)

1

74
votes

Rayzwocker at English Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0

Racewalking

This sport involves walking as fast as possible without breaking into a jog or run. Some people find it comical to watch the athletes' exaggerated hip movements.
2

33
votes
Jesus de Blas · CC BY-SA 2.0

Synchronized Swimming

Katherine Curtis

This sport involves choreographed movements in the water, often with exaggerated facial expressions and glittery costumes. Some people might find it silly or over-the-top.
Description

Synchronized swimming is an elegant and captivating sport that combines swimming, gymnastics, and dance into a mesmerizing spectacle. It is an artistic water sport characterized by precise and synchronized movements performed by a team of swimmers. The athletes display remarkable flexibility, strength, and grace as they perform intricate routines in harmony with the music.

Number of participants: Usually performed by teams ranging from 4 to 8 swimmers

Required equipment: Swimsuit, nose clip, and optional nose plug

Pool dimensions: Standard pool size of 25 meters long, 20 meters wide, and 3 meters deep

Routine duration: Usually around 3 to 4 minutes

Synchronized movements: Athletes perform coordinated movements both above and below the water, including flips, spins, lifts, and precise arm and leg movements
Synchronized Swimming in other rankings
- Position 2 of 10 in Most random Olympic sport
- Position 6 of 10 in Most beautiful sport
- Position 8 of 10 in Most difficult sport in the Olympics
3

14
votes
Trampqueen at English Wikipedia · Public domain

Trampoline

George Nissen

While trampolining can be a fun activity, some might not consider it a "serious" Olympic sport. The competitors perform acrobatic flips and twists in the air while bouncing on a trampoline.
Description

The trampoline is a gymnastics apparatus consisting of a firm, elastic fabric stretched tightly over a frame. Athletes perform acrobatic movements and aerial flips on the trampoline, utilizing the rebounding force provided by the fabric. It allows for impressive heights and complex maneuvers.

Frame Shape: Rectangular or square

Fabric Material: Nylon or polypropylene

Frame Material: Steel or aluminum

Frame Dimensions: Around 14 feet by 7 feet for competition trampolines

Number of Springs: Around 100 to 120 for competition trampolines
Trampoline in other rankings
- Position 3 of 10 in Most random Olympic sport
- Position 4 of 10 in Most fun exercise
- Position 8 of 10 in Most popular piece of gymnastics equipment
- Position 9 of 10 in Most difficult gymnastics apparatus
4

7
votes
Bauken77 · CC BY-SA 3.0

Rhythmic Gymnastics

This sport involves using ribbons, hoops, balls, and clubs in a choreographed routine. Some people might find the outfits and movements to be overly theatrical.
Description

Rhythmic gymnastics is a sport that combines elements of ballet, gymnastics, dance, and apparatus manipulation. It is performed by individuals or groups, and focuses on the artistic expression and gracefulness of the athletes. The routine incorporates the use of various hand-held apparatus such as rope, hoop, ball, clubs, and ribbon, which are used to create visual and rhythmic patterns.

Apparatus: Rope, hoop, ball, clubs, ribbon

Duration: Individual routines: 75-90 seconds, Group routines: 2-3 minutes

Scoring: Based on difficulty, execution, choreography, musicality, and artistry

Flexibility and coordination: Athletes perform leaps, jumps, balances, and body movements with apparatus

Routine composition: Combination of dance, acrobatics, and expressive movements
Rhythmic Gymnastics in other rankings
- Position 8 of 10 in Most random Olympic sport
5

14
votes
Ralf Roletschek · CC BY-SA 3.0 at

Curling

Some people might not understand the appeal of this sport, which involves sliding stones on ice and using brooms to sweep the ice in front of the stones.
Curling in other rankings
- Position 4 of 10 in Most random Olympic sport
- Position 4 of 10 in Most popular culture in Canada
- Position 10 of 10 in Most popular winter activity
6

9
votes
Citius Altius Fortius (adapted for Dressage) & Parutakupiu (original image) · CC BY-SA 4.0

Equestrian Dressage

While horseback riding is a challenging and impressive sport, some might find the choreographed movements and outfits of dressage to be a bit silly.
Description

Equestrian Dressage, often referred to simply as dressage, is an Olympic sport that showcases the high degree of training and intricate harmony between horse and rider. It is a unique and elegant display of horse and rider's ability to perform a series of predetermined movements with precision, grace, and elegance.

Event Type: Individual and Team competition

Scoring System: Judged based on accuracy, submission, impulsion, and the overall presentation

Arena Dimensions: 60m x 20m or 20m x 40m for small arena; 60m x 20m for large arena

Dress Code: Formal attire for riders, including jackets, helmets, and boots

Movements and Figures: Includes halts, trots, canters, pirouettes, changes of gait, and various intricate patterns
7

8
votes
Deutsche Bundespost · Public domain

Modern Pentathlon

This sport combines five events
Description

The Modern Pentathlon is a multi-disciplinary sport that combines five different events, designed to test the physical and mental abilities of the athletes. It was first introduced in the 1912 Olympic Games in Stockholm, Sweden.

Events: The Modern Pentathlon consists of five unique events: fencing, swimming, equestrian show jumping, and a combination of pistol shooting and cross-country running (known as the combined event).

Fencing: Competitors engage in a series of one-touch bouts, using the épée sword.

Swimming: A 200-meter freestyle race is conducted in a pool.

Equestrian show jumping: Athletes ride an unfamiliar horse and navigate it through a show jumping course with obstacles.

Pistol shooting: Athletes must hit five targets from a distance of 10 meters using a laser pistol.
Modern Pentathlon in other rankings
- Position 6 of 10 in Most random Olympic sport
- Position 6 of 10 in Most popular fencing weapon
- Position 7 of 10 in Most difficult sport in the Olympics
8

8
votes
Carlos Delgado · CC BY-SA 3.0

Handball

This sport involves throwing a ball into a goal while running around on a court. Some might consider it a strange hybrid of basketball and soccer.
Description

Handball is a popular GAA sport played on a specific court with two or four players. The objective is to hit a small rubber ball against a front wall so that it cannot be returned by the opponent. It requires speed, agility, and good hand-eye coordination.

Court Size: 40ft long x 20ft wide

Ball: Small rubber ball, typically a size 1 or 2

Players: Can be played as singles or doubles

Serving: Underhand serve from the serving area

Scoring: Games are typically played to 21 points
Handball in other rankings
- Position 4 of 10 in Most underrated sport
- Position 6 of 10 in Most popular sport in Luxembourg
- Position 6 of 10 in Most popular GAA sport
- Position 8 of 10 in Most popular hand game
9

4
votes
Pierre-Yves Beaudouin · CC BY-SA 3.0

Table Tennis

While table tennis requires skill and precision, some might not consider it a "serious" Olympic sport. The competitors use small paddles to hit a lightweight ball back and forth across a table.
Description

Table Tennis, also known as ping pong, is a popular game in Haiti that is played on a table divided by a net. The objective of the game is to hit a lightweight ball over the net and make it bounce on the opponent's side without them being able to return it. The game requires quick reflexes, agility, and precision.

Equipment: Table tennis table, paddles, and balls

Number of players: Usually two players, but can also be played in doubles format with four players

Scoring system: The game is usually played to 11 points, with the player or team reaching 11 points first winning the game

Serving: The ball must be thrown palm-up at least six inches and hit the table once on the server's side before clearing the net

Service rotation: The server changes after every two points are scored
Table Tennis in other rankings
- Position 3 of 10 in Most popular racket sport
- Position 3 of 10 in Most popular indoor sport
- Position 5 of 10 in Most random Olympic sport
- Position 7 of 10 in Most underrated sport
- Position 8 of 10 in Most popular game in Haiti
10

4
votes
Beach Volleyball

William G. Morgan

While volleyball is a popular sport, some might find the beach version to be a bit gimmicky. The athletes play on sand and wear swimsuits, which some might find unnecessary.
Description

Beach volleyball is a popular summer activity that involves two teams consisting of two or more players each, playing against each other on a sandy court. The objective is to score points by grounding the ball on the opponent's side of the net without committing a fault.

Number of Players: Two or more players per team

Court Dimensions: 16 meters long and 8 meters wide

Net Height: 2.43 meters for men and 2.24 meters for women

Ball: Official size and weight beach volleyball

Scoring System: Rally point system (points awarded on every play)
Beach Volleyball in other rankings
- Position 2 of 10 in Most popular type of Volleyball
- Position 5 of 10 in Most fun summer activity
- Position 10 of 10 in Most random Olympic sport

Missing your favorite Game?

Graphs

Discussion

Ranking factors for ridiculous sport

Athleticism

How much physical exertion does the sport require compared to how entertaining it is to watch?
Rules and Scoring

Are the rules and scoring system easy to understand for someone who is not familiar with the sport?
Universal Appeal

Does the sport have a broad international appeal or is it limited to a particular region or culture?
Safety

Does the sport carry a high risk of injury or danger to the athletes?
Cultural Significance

Does the sport have a significant historical or cultural significance that might make it more or less ridiculous in the eyes of spectators?

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most ridiculous Olympic sport. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or your favorite Game is missing from the list, feel free to help us improve the ranking.

Statistics

1671 views
175 votes
10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each Game once every 24 hours. The rank of each Game is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most ridiculous olympic sport

The Olympic Games are a celebration of athletic prowess, endurance, and excellence. Every four years, the world's finest athletes gather to compete in a variety of sports and events. While many of these sports are popular and widely recognized, there are some that are considered to be a little more unusual or even downright ridiculous. From solo synchronized swimming to horse dancing, the Olympics have seen it all. While these sports may seem a little strange to the uninitiated, they are taken very seriously by the athletes who compete in them. Many of these sports require incredible skill, strength, and endurance, and their inclusion in the Olympic Games is a testament to the diversity of athletic ability that exists in the world today. So, what is the most ridiculous Olympic sport? That's a matter of personal opinion, of course. Some might argue that the Winter Olympics' curling, which involves sliding a stone across ice with brooms, is ridiculous. Others might point to the Summer Olympics' rhythmic gymnastics, which involves dancing with ribbons and hoops. Regardless of your own opinion, there's no denying that the Olympics offer a wide range of sports that are sure to impress and amaze audiences around the world.