There are many unusual sports that have been part of the Olympic Games as demonstration sports. Gliding, or aeronautics, was demonstrated in 1936, and also a gold medal awarded for Swiss Hermann Schreiber for a flight across the Alps in 1935. The IOC were ready to add this as an official sport in 1940, only for the Olympics to be cancelled by the outbreak of war. There was plenty of aeronautic skills shown in the skies during the war, but unfortunately it was never again considered for the Olympics. See more about Aeronautics at the Olympics.
Entries Tagged as 'demonstration sport'
Gliding Demonstration Sport at the 1936 Olympics
February 20th, 2014 · No Comments · Unusual
Tags: 1936·1936 Olympics·aeronautics·berlin·demonstration sport·gliding·olympic games
1948 Ling Gymnastics Olympic Demonstration
October 19th, 2009 · No Comments · Gymnastics
There was a Swedish Ling Gymnastics demonstration at the 1948 Olympic Games. Unfortunately, the video I had of it is no longer available. Here is another video of some Swedish women from the same year giving a demonstration. You can see where the opening ceremony has evolved from.
Tags: 1948·demonstration sport·England·events·Gymnastics·Ling·London·olympic games