Basque pelota, known as the fastest sport in the world, was played as a demonstration sport in 1924 (men only), 1968 (men only) and 1992 (men and women). A Basque pelota tournament was also contested as an official sport at the 1900 Paris Olympic Games.
In 1924, a court was built at the Porte de Billancourt for the Basque pelota events. The only participants were teams from France and Spain. There were two events, Hand-pelota and Basket-pelota.
In 1968, the events were Basket-pelota, Paleta-rubber Paleta-leather, Frontenis and Hand-pelota.
In 1992, the events held included Basket-pelota (54m) men's and women's Frontenis (30m), F, Hand-pelota doubles (Trinquet), Paleta-leather (Trinquet), Paleta-rubber (Trinquet), Hand-pelota singles (36m) Hand-pelota doubles (36m), Paleta-leather (36m) and Short bat (36m). Teams from Argentina, Cuba, Spain, the Philippines, France, Mexico, Venezuela and Uruguay took part.
Related Pages
- More Olympic Demonstration Sports
- Basque Pelota discontinued Olympic sport
- About the demonstration sports at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics
- More about the sport of Basque Pelota
- See a video of Basque Pelota being played
- Other demonstration sports of the 1924 Olympic Games