Original photo by Martin Barraud/ iStock
Tug-of-war pulled through for five editions of the Olympic Games, from the Paris 1900 festivities until Antwerp 1920. (The 1916 ceremony was canceled due to World War I.) Only men were permitted to partake, and individual countries were allowed to enter multiple teams. Contests lasted five minutes apiece, with teams attempting to drag their opponents 6 feet from their starting point. If neither team reached the threshold, whichever one came closer emerged victorious.
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It's a fibIt shares that honor with London, which held the Summer Games in 1908, 1948, and 2012. Eight cities have hosted twice: Tokyo; Los Angeles; Athens; Beijing; St. Moritz, Switzerland; Innsbruck, Austria; Lake Placid, New York; and Cortina d'Ampezzo.
The first tug-of-war gold medal went to a coalition of athletes from Sweden and Denmark. But Great Britain enjoyed the best tally overall, winning five medals in tug-of-war, including two golds — edging out the United States and its three pieces of hardware. Ultimately, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) eliminated tug-of-war after the 1920 Olympics when they decided to be more selective with their sports. Today, while campaigning for matches to be reclassified as Olympic-worthy, the Tug of War International Federation admits men, women, and juniors at various weight classes from more than 70 nations. Tug-of-war is also part of the World Games, a quadrennial showcase for sports that are not featured in the Olympics, such as bowling, kickboxing, and trampoline gymnastics.
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Former Beatle ______ released a 1982 solo album called “Tug of War.”
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Former Beatle Paul McCartney released a 1982 solo album called “Tug of War.”
Olympic medals were once awarded for art.
Not all Olympic medals have gone to athletes. Between 1912 and 1948, juries also declared winners in five artistic categories: painting, sculpture, architecture, literature, and music. Igor Stravinsky even served as a judge at the Paris 1924 Games (in music, naturally). In total, 151 medals were bestowed on artists, architects, or writers. Participants did have to abide by one major rule, however — their work had to be inspired by sports somehow. The art competitions were ultimately retired because it was too difficult for the IOC to distinguish between amateurs and professionals.
Jenna is a writer whose work has appeared in The New York Times, The Hollywood Reporter, and New York Magazine.
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