Although many people don’t know that tug-of-war was a part of the Olympic program, it participated in five different Olympic Games from 1900 to 1920. The modern version of the Olympic Games was first established in 1896 following the successful application of Frenchman Pierre de Coubertin. At the 1900 Paris Olympics, tug-of-war was introduced. During its first two appearances, teams consisted of only five or six members.
Although the 1916 Summer Olympics were canceled due to the First World War, the sport was still included in the track and field events of the 1906 Intercalated Games. During the first two Olympics, five or six individuals competed for each team. For the 1908 Summer Olympics, eight individuals competed for each team. According to Time, the rules of the game required that the teams pull their opponents six feet away from them.
If both teams failed to perform their tasks, the judges would give the competitors another five minutes to try and make their move. The winner would then be declared based on the points scored. The sport caught the attention of Olympic officials due to its controversial nature. For instance, the American team that won the gold medal in 1904 was allegedly composed of Chicago ringers.
Another controversy occurred during the 1908 Summer Olympics when the American team accused the British team of using illegal shoes. The team members claimed that the British players’ shoes had illegal traction. Alan Knott, a member of the English Tug-of-War Association, said that the Liverpool Police team was supposed to pull their American rivals in bare feet, but they declined. The Americans then withdrew from the competition. Great Britain, on the other hand, won the gold, silver, bronze, and fourth prizes.
Due to the withdrawal of several countries from the competition, the only match involving the two teams was between Sweden and Great Britain. However, after the British team sat down during the second pull, they were disallowed from participating in the match.
What Happened to the Sport After the Olympics?
After 1920, tug-of-war was officially dropped from the Olympics. Great Britain won the most medals during the event’s history. Following the Summer Olympics in 1920, various countries started their own tug-of-war associations. The Amateur Athletic Association of the UK was the first to organize the sport in the country. After the English Tug-of-War Association was founded in 1958, other similar organizations were established in Wales, Northern Ireland, and Scotland.
The TWIF was established in 1960 after a meeting between Swedish and British tug-of-war officials in London. It has since grown to include over 50 member nations. Since its inception, international tournaments have been held every year at various levels.
The International Olympic Committee recognizes tug-of-war as a recognized sport. TWIF is working to get the sport reinstated in the Olympic program. Currently, it is held every four years at the World Games. This event is carried out under the IOC’s patronage.
During the early Olympic Games, tug-of-war was only held at Catchweight. Nowadays, it’s held in different weight classes for both men’s and women’s teams. In recent years, mixed-gender teams have also been introduced. These teams are composed of women and men with an equal number of members.
The TOWA supports the idea of bringing back tug-of-war to the Olympics. It’s easy to understand and can be enjoyed by everyone. Also, the results of the matches do not rely on the subjective scoring system. This sport can be easily accessible to everyone since it doesn’t require a huge amount of equipment or facilities.
The Olympic motto is “Faster, Higher, Stronger.” With that in mind, tug-of-war fits the bill perfectly. The TOWA is hoping that the sport will be brought back to the Olympics someday. It is a sport that all countries can enjoy.
