The "Olympic Events From The Past" Story

Preface:  I wrote this story more than a year ago, before the Olympics were put on hold last summer.  At the time it wasn't certain if the Olympics would be held or if they would be cancelled.  As you probably remember, they were canceled and moved to this summer.  As you read this story, you will see a few reverences to it being last year.  I'm publishing the story today in hopes the Olympics will still be held this year, but at times it looks and sounds as if they might be put on hold for yet one more year.  I feel sorry that fans cannot attend the event this year, but since the virus is still with us, it probably was the correct choice for the health of all concerned.

It was an ordinary day.  Just read an article about the 2020 Summer Olympics to be held in Tokyo. Seems the Governor of Tokyo is optimistic about the chances that the Olympics will be held despite public doubts concerning the Covid-19 virus.  Can't imagine the amount of money being spent at present to prepare for the world to visit or watch this summer's premier sporting event known as the Olympics.  The Olympics have been around for centuries, but some of the sports that were once part of the venue are no longer a part of the games today.  After reading about some of the sports, I could understand the reasoning behind dropping them.  In the 1900 Olympic Games in Paris, a swimming obstacle race was added.  It was a 200-meter race in which the participants had to climb over a pole, scramble over one row of boats and swim under another before reaching the finish line without leaving the water.  The event was held in the River Seine which was known for its swift current.  It lasted for just that year.  In 1904 the Olympics included a Plunge for Distance event.  Participants started on a diving block, dove in and tried to cover as much distance underwater before surfacing.  Being that it was in 1904 in St. Louis, few people could watch, since underwater cameras weren't made at the time. The winner of the event was an American by the name of William Dickey who managed to drift 62 feet and 6 inches.  He wasn't able to defend his title, since the event was discontinued after just one year.  Another event held that year was Club Swinging which is exactly what it sounds like.  Competitors held two large, bowling pin-like clubs in each hand and twirled them around their bodies as quickly as they could following a complicated routine.  Points were awarded for the execution and complexity of the routine.  Club Swinging was featured in 1904 and once again in 1932 when the Olympics were held in Los Angeles.  In 1908, London added Motorboat racing as an Olympic event.  The event had motorboat pilots navigating their craft around an 8 nautical-mile track five times before they crossed the finish line.  Similar to NASCAR on water.  But, in the summer of 1908, the weather was so bad that some boats ran aground during the race.  Others were forced to stop and at the end of the race, only one competitor crossed the finish line.  That was the last year for the event.   One final water event was added at the Los Angeles Olympic Games.  Solo Synchronized Swimming debuted in 1984.  It was the same as regular two or eight-person events that are still in the Olympics, but with a single, solitary swimmer in the pool by themselves.  The event was continued in 1988 and 1992 before it was discontinued.  I don't believe I ever saw it, but it does sound rather boring.  Perhaps next summer another new event may be added, or maybe it will be the last year for one that now exists.  I just hope we all have the chance to cheer on our athletes no matter what country you may cheer for next year.  The virus just has to stop before next summer...doesn't it?  Here's hoping!  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.