I used to swear to people that Show Choir was a sport...this really put some things into perspective.

1. Tug-Of-War

That old playground game that left you with stellar rope-burns that stung for weeks? Yeah, it counted as an Olympic sport at one time. Beginning during the 1900 Summer Games, tug-of-war had a competitive but short-lived time in the spotlight before being discontinued prior to the 1920 Games.

2. Duelling Pistol Shooting

The duelling pistol event was first held during the 1906 Intercalated Games. Competitors aimed for a bullseye located on a human dummy's chest - a dummy that was conveniently dressed in full frock-coat and other timely garb.

3. Hot Air Ballooning

This was just one of the many bizarre happenings of the 1920 Games. It existed alongside kite-flying, among others.

4. Art Competitions

Art competitions were actually a part of the vision outlined by the founder of the Olympics, Pierre de Coubertin. They were first held in Stockholm in 1912, where Coubertin took the gold medal for his literature. Medals were awarded in five categories, earning the event the official title of "Pentathlon of the Muses." The event was discontinued in 1946, but has since been replaces with the Olympic cultural program.

5. Firefighting and Lifesaving

Another odd one brought to us by the 1900 Olympics. While these are certainly commendable occupations and lifeskills, they do seem a bit off when placed beside the likes of soccer and wrestling.

6. Alpinism

What's strange about this one isn't the sport itself, persay, but rather the way medals were awarded. Alpinism medals were given out not based on an actual competition that took place during the games, but rather on past notable expeditions.

7. Pole Dancing

Maybe this is just one of those "don't knock it til you try it" things? Either way, there's no need to be completely up in arms - pole dancing has yet to become an official Olympic sport, but there are many rallying behind its induction.