These 12 Sports Used To Be In The Winter Olympics, So What Do We Have To Do To Get Synchronized Skating Back?

Today I learned that dogs used to be a part of the Winter Olympics.

When I think Winter Olympics, I immediately think of events like skiing, ice skating, or hockey.

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But did you know that tons of sports have been added and removed from the games over the past century or so?

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I'm talking sports like snowshoeing, sled dog racing, synchronized skating — the games as we've come to know and love them used to look very different.

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Some of these sports appeared in the Olympics as demonstration events, which are events that are native to the host country.

While these weren't typically medaled events, they still featured some fierce competition. Some Olympic staples like curling and short track originated as demonstration events and later became official medaled sports. Demonstration events were discontinued in 1992, as it became difficult for the Olympic Committee to devote the necessary time and attention to ensuring they went off without a hitch. 

Here are 12 sports that used to be Olympic staples (and tbh, I'd be here for some of them coming back):

1. Speed skiing

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You've probably heard of speed skating, but speed skiing? Sounds terrifying.

What is it: Skiing in a straight line down a hill as fast as possible. There are two elements to the competition: skiing to beat a predetermined time or being the skier who makes it down the hill the fastest. Skiers regularly top speeds of over 200 mph during competition.

Why it was removed: It appeared in the 1992 Games in Albertville as a demonstration sport. While it's still practiced today, it wasn't officially added as an Olympic sport because it was considered too dangerous after several athletes died during non-Olympic affiliated speed skiing competitions.

2. Sled dog racing

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Dogs in the Olympics? If this happened now, these pups would be going viral.

What is it: A musher stands on the runners of a sled and coaches a team of dogs attached to the sled to run as quickly as possible. 

Why it was removed: Dog sledding appeared in both the 1932 and 1952 Olympics, held in Lake Placid and Oslo, respectively. Sled dog racing is still a popular and widely practiced event, with the Iditarod Trail race being held every year in Alaska. There are some animal cruelty concerns regarding the sport, as dogs are frequently injured during races. The World Sleddog Association has a strict code of practices that ensure dogs are treated humanely during competition and training.

3. Winter pentathlon

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Imagine being good enough to compete in one Olympic sport, let alone being in an event that requires you to be good at five different ones!

What is it: Much like the pentathlon in the Summer Olympics, this event combines five different sports: cross-country skiing, shooting, downhill skiing, fencing, and horseback riding.

Why it was removed: After appearing in the 1948 Winter Games, the pentathlon never really caught on and was left out of subsequent Olympics. Elements of the event remain in the modern biathlon, which combines cross-country skiing and rifle shooting.

4. Synchronized skating

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BRB, going down a YouTube rabbit hole of synchronized skating routines.

What is it: Teams perform ice skating routines in unison. The sport was originally called "precision skating," and features teams of 8–16 competitors, with four reserve skaters in case of injury.

Why it was removed: This one seems like it's destined for an Olympic return and was even rumored to be slated for a resurgence during the 2022 Games, but alas, our prayers were not answered. A group called Why Not Synchro has petitioned for years to add the sport back to the lineup. Some of the reasons why the Olympic Committee is holding back include logistical and financial challenges that come with having teams of 20+ skaters, and a lack of countries with synchronized skating teams.

5. Bandy

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Here for it just based on the fun name alone, tbh.

What is it: A cross between hockey and soccer, bandy essentially follows all of the rules of traditional ice hockey, but with a ball instead of a puck. The goalkeeper doesn't have a stick, which means bandy matches are typically pretty high-scoring.

Why it was removed: Bandy was included in the 1952 Games as a demonstration sport and was reportedly considered too similar to hockey to warrant official inclusion in future Olympics.

6. Ski ballet

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Imagining a ballerina on skis will now occupy my mind for the foreseeable future.

What is it: This sport is often dubbed "acroski," which is honestly a pretty fitting title. This sport is very similar to ice skating: skiers perform elaborate routines, complete with jumps, flips, and spins, set to music. 

Why it was removed: Ski ballet was a demonstration event at the 1988 and 1992 Winter Olympics. It never became an official Olympic staple due to a decline in the number of participants. In 2000, the International Ski Federation ceased all ski ballet competition, and elements of the sport were infused into freestyle skiing. 

7. Ice stock

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All of you curling aficionados out there, you might wanna pay attention to this one!

What is it: Ice stock is the Bavarian spin on curling and has been around since the 16th century. Players slide a heavy object (known as a stock) across an icy surface. Where the game differs from curling is that the stock is a bit lighter and comes with a handle. 

Why it was removed: Ice stock was demonstrated at the 1936 and 1964 Winter Games. While I can't find any concrete details on why it was left out of other Olympics, I'd assume it's because traditional curling overshadowed ice stock. 

8. Military patrol

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If you like sports that require military-like precision and competition, then you'll be leading the charge to get military patrol back.

What is it: This event is a team sport that combines cross-country skiing, ski mountaineering, and rifle shooting.

Why it was removed: Military patrol was an official medal sport at the first ever Winter Olympics in 1924 and was reintroduced as a demonstration event in 1928, 1936, and 1948. Military patrol isn't widely practiced anymore, and elements of the event have been incorporated into other Olympic sports.

9. Skijoring

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I truly thought this was made up when I first heard about it.

What is it: Skiers are attached to a horse, who begins sprinting, leaving the skier to a) stay on board and b) perform elaborate jumps, flips, and spins in the process. People have described this as wakeboarding on snow with a horse, which is a lot to unpack.

Why it was removed: Skijoring is still practiced around the world, but only appeared in the 1928 Olympics. It's unclear why the sport has never reappeared at the Games, as fierce competitions are still being held to this day.

10. Snowshoeing

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This is one of those sports that I confidently feel like I'd be good at, but I guarantee that if I tried it, it would be truly embarassing.

What is it: Snowshoeing is basically walking as fast as you can over snow, but you have to wear an elaborate pair of snowshoes to do it.

Why it was removed: Ever since the event appeared in the 2002 Games, snowshoers have been calling for it to return. It currently is a staple of the Special Olympics. Snowshoe magazine said that they believe a lack of an advertising base is what's keeping the event from becoming an official part of the Winter Olympics.

11. Special figures skating

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This is the coolest combo of art and athleticism I've ever seen. BRING THIS BACK!

What is it: Skaters not only must skate a beautiful program, but must carve intricate patterns into the ice with the toe of their skate. Can you imagine the level of talent and concentration this requires? 

Why it was removed: Special figures skating appeared as a men's only contest in the 1908 Winter Olympics, which were the first time any winter sport appeared in the Olympics (the first Winter Games were held in 1924 in Chamonix, France). The sport lost most of its buzz in the 20th century and isn't widely practiced today, but I'd be here for a resurgence. 

12. Alpinism

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An event that takes place on the tiny little mountain known as Mount Everest. Maybe you've heard of it?

What is it: Alpinism is essentially mountain climbing. In some circles, it's known as mountaineering.

Why it was removed: Mental Floss says that alpinism is one of the most hazardous sports to ever be part of the Olympics. It first appeared in 1894 but wasn't a medaled event until 1924, when a group of climbers who conquered Mt. Everest in 1922 was awarded the gold. It lasted as a medaled event until the 1948 Games and then was removed. In 1988, two climbers received silver medals for their climbing efforts, but it wasn't an official Olympic event. Climbing is now a part of the Summer Olympics, making its debut at the 2020 Games in Tokyo.

Which of these would you like to see make a return to Olympic glory? Let us know in the comments!