With the Winter Olympics having happened this year, many viewers took to the internet to talk about how strange some of the events appeared to be. Events like curling, ski mountaineering, and the luge have been called “weird,” but these strange sports aren’t anything new for the Winter Olympics.

The first official Winter Olympics was held in 1924 with sporting events including bobsleigh, curling, ice hockey, Nordic skiing, and skating; however, the Games were inspired by ancient Greek competitions that predate the Olympics by centuries.

As time went on, sports were added to the Games, removed altogether, or turned into demonstration sports — events where athletes are awarded medals but are not included in the official medal count — creating the Winter Olympics we know now. 

Some of the more unusual sports in the history of the Winter Olympics include military patrol, ski ballet, skijoring, sled dog racing, and bandy. 

Military patrol

According to History.com, the military patrol events began in the first Winter Olympics and consisted of teams of four competing in various competitions. The event included cross-country skiing, mountaineering, and rifle shooting. Military patrol is the only of the five sports that ever appeared as a medal-earning sport, not just a demonstration sport. Although the military patrol events only appeared at four Olympic Games, the current biathlon event carries on its memory with similar aspects, such as skiing and shooting.

Ski ballet

Ski ballet debuted in the 1988 Winter Olympics as a demonstration sport. Similar to figure skating, athletes would perform varying dance moves and tricks on skis to music of their choosing. As well as the individual event, athletes could also compete as pairs. They were graded on technical difficulty, artistry, and overall performance.

Skijoring 

Although skijoring only made it to one Winter Olympics, its peculiarity makes it memorable. In its Olympic showing, it was performed by ski-wearing athletes who held the reins of horses. These horses then raced across a frozen lake, guiding the skiers to the finish line. The involvement of animals no longer exists in the modern Winter Olympics, but these horses made their mark on Olympic history.

Sled dog racing

Along with the horses, dogs have also made their way into Winter Olympic history. Sled dog racing appeared in the 1932 Winter Olympics. The event was “ran twice over a 25.1 mile (40.5 km) long course. With six dogs per sled, each sled took off at three-minute intervals.” These dogs marked the first and only time dogs ever competed in an Olympic sport.

Bandy

Bandy only appeared in one Winter Olympics, but it is still played today. Bandy is similar to ice hockey, but has a few key differences. Players use a ball instead of a puck, the goalies do not have sticks, and the rink is about the size of a soccer field instead of a typical hockey rink. 

Despite having some odd qualities, these sports all contributed to the Winter Olympics we now know, and they have all made their mark on Olympic history.