Why was Tug-of-War Removed From the Olympic Games?

By Jayson Panganiban July 25, 2024 06:46

Photo by Bob Thomas / Popperfoto / Getty Images

An Olympic Games staple between 1900 and 1920, tug-of-war sports dress during one of its five appearances. Eventually, however, this rare and grueling event disappeared from the Olympic slate. Appreciating the whys behind all this tells us a lot about how and why sports' biggest event is changing.

Olympics' Early Years

Tug-of-war was first played at the Olympics in 1900, and players from Sweden and Denmark won gold. The sport became popular very quickly, and teams from the United States, Great Britain, and various other parts of the world took part in subsequent editions. Tug-of-war teams in the early Olympics frequently comprised athletes who had already competed in event events, reflecting the sport's preposition status.

The most recent tug-of-war competition in the Olympics was at the 1920 Antwerp Games. The City of London Police, representing Great Britain, claimed the gold medal, with silver and bronze going to the Netherlands and Belgium. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) then expunged tug-of-war and 33 other sports from the Olympics.

Removal Justification

Evolving Olympic Program

At that time, the program of the early Olympics was fairly loose and experimental, with host countries or organizers adding sports related to their respective home country interests or their fancy. As the Olympics expanded to include more nations and became increasingly recognized by people, even in small countries worldwide via television broadcasts, the IOC decided that growing it further would be difficult if every sport made its claims for inclusion.

Doubts on the Competitive and Draw

Some, including Baron Pierre de Coubertin, the co-founder of the IOC, regarded tug-of-war as "the grubby sport played by peasants who lived in Britain during medieval times" and were not convinced that it should be an Olympic mainstay.

Considerations in Logistics & Administration

The IOC administrators had greater issues on their hands, as they could only, with difficulty, accommodate eighteen sports and an ever-growing list of participants at earlier Olympics. Tug-of-war was among the sports that eventually were removed from the Games, alongside many other games.

The Legacy of Tug-of-War

Tug-of-war, however, despite its exclusion from the Olympic Games program, did continue to be a sport in and of itself. Following the 1920 Games, each country created a national body for tug-of-war, and the Tug-of-War International Federation (TWIF) was soon officially formed in 1960. It has since grown its international championships and is still a popular sport among fans worldwide.

The Return of the Tug-of-War

The TWIF still hopes that one day, tug-of-war will again be considered a sport in the Olympic Games. Still, the IOC has to decide which sports go on and off its largest stage, a juggling act involving popularity worldwide, television appeal, and even logistics.

As the Olympic Games continue to evolve, the selection and exclusion of sports will invariably reflect broader trends in global sport, media consumption, and the logistics of hosting an event of such magnitude. Whether or not tug-of-war will again grace the Olympic stage remains uncertain. Still, its history within the Games is a fascinating chapter in the ongoing narrative of the world's premier sporting event.