Tug of war at the Summer Olympics facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Tug of war at the Summer Olympics
Governing body	TWIF
Events	1 (men)
Games
1896 1900 1904 1908 1912 1920 1924 1928 1932 1936 1948 1952 1956 1960 1964 1968 1972 1976 1980 1984 1988 1992 1996 2000 2004 2008 2012 2016 2020
Medalists

Tug of war is a fun team sport where two teams pull on opposite ends of a rope. The goal is to pull the other team a certain distance across a line. It's a test of strength and teamwork!

This exciting sport was once part of the Summer Olympic Games. It was an Olympic event at every game from 1900 to 1920.

A tug of war competition at the 1904 Summer Olympics.

How Tug of War Worked at the Olympics

When tug of war was an Olympic sport, teams were often called "clubs." A country could send more than one club to compete. This meant that one country could win many medals in the same event!

For example, in the 1904 Summer Olympics, the United States won all three medals (gold, silver, and bronze). In the 1908 Summer Olympics, three teams from Great Britain won all the medals. Sweden also did well, winning two medals. One of their medals was as part of a mixed team.

The 1908 City of London Police team won the gold medal in tug of war in 1908. (Back row - left to right): Frederick Merriman, John James Shepherd, Edwin Mills, Albert Ireton, Frederick Goodfellow, Frederick Humphreys
(Front row - left to right): Edward Barrett, H. Duke (Captain), William Hirons

Tug of War and Athletics

For a while, tug of war was considered part of the Olympic athletics program. Athletics includes sports like running, jumping, and throwing. However, today, tug of war and athletics are seen as two different sports.

Tug of war is no longer an Olympic sport, but it is still played and enjoyed around the world!