List of Olympic venues in discontinued events facts for kids

The Summer Olympics are a huge event where athletes from all over the world compete. But did you know that some sports that used to be part of the Olympics are no longer played there? These are called discontinued sports.

Over the years, eight different sports have been removed from the Summer Olympics. However, some old sports have made a comeback! For example, golf returned in 2016 at the Rio de Janeiro Games, after being absent since 1904. Rugby also came back in 2016, but as a faster version called rugby sevens, instead of the older rugby union.

Looking ahead, for the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, two more old sports will return. Cricket, which only appeared once in 1900, will be back. Lacrosse, last seen in 1908, will also return, but as a six-a-side game.

Many different places were used for these discontinued sports. One venue was used for basque pelota, one for croquet, and one for jeu de paume. There were six venues for polo, one for racquets, one for roque, five for tug of war, and one for water motorsports.

Basque Pelota: A Unique Ball Game

Basque pelota pictogram.

Basque pelota is a sport where players hit a ball against a wall using their hand, a racket, or a basket. It was only an official Olympic sport once, at the 1900 Paris Games.

Croquet: A Gentle Lawn Sport

Croquet pictogram.

Croquet is a game played on a lawn where players use mallets to hit wooden or plastic balls through hoops embedded in the grass. It was also only part of the Olympics in 1900.

Jeu de Paume: The Ancestor of Tennis

Jeu de paume pictogram.

Jeu de paume is an old racket sport that is often called the "real tennis." It was played indoors on a special court. This sport was featured at the 1908 London Olympics.

Queen's Club hosted the jeu de paume events for the 1908 Summer Olympics in London.

Polo: Horseback Team Sport

Polo pictogram.

Polo is a team sport played on horseback. Players use mallets to hit a small ball through goalposts. It was an Olympic sport several times between 1900 and 1936.

Ostend hosted the polo events for the 1920 Summer Olympics in Antwerp.

Racquets: A Fast Wall Game

Racquets pictogram.

Racquets is a very fast indoor racket sport. Players hit a hard ball against the walls of a four-walled court. It was only an Olympic sport in 1908.

Roque: An American Version of Croquet

Roque pictogram.

Roque is an American version of croquet, played on a hard, smooth court with borders. It was only included in the 1904 St. Louis Olympics.

Tug of War: A Test of Strength

Tug of war pictogram.

Tug of war is a team sport where two teams pull on opposite ends of a rope. The goal is to pull the other team a certain distance. It was an Olympic sport from 1900 to 1920.

Water Motorsports: Racing on Water

Water motorsports pictogram.

Water motorsports involved racing boats powered by engines. This exciting sport made a brief appearance at the 1908 London Olympics.