Tug of War: An odd sport becomes very popular
Tug of War is a very interesting sport; it is played all over the world by two teams of players who pull a rope to try and drag the other team over the centre line. It is an actual sport with a governing body; it has been
played in numerous Olympic Games and is also simple enough to be played by children during parties. The game is trying to make a revival and become a part of the Olympics again, and therefore deserves to be looked at in depth.
No one knows when exactly the tug of war was invented but it seems to be very old. The sport may have originated from ancient rituals and ceremonies and religious festivals. Evidence has been found of the game being played
in ancient China and Egypt as a royal sport. Tug of war could be found in stories of heroic endeavours all over the ancient world. It also seems as if this old sport is connected to warfare somehow. The sport was used to prepare warriors for battle and as
a test of strength.
The sport continued to remain popular and came to Europe in the 1500s and it spread further in the 1600s. During the 1800s, tug of war entered a new tradition in its history; it was used by men travelling on boats to adjust
the sails. From there it became a game played by those on these boats. Slowly over time it became a part of the culture and tradition of many countries and is now played all over the world.
Tug of war has been a part of the Olympic Games in the past; it was actually played in the Ancient Olympics. Coming to modern times, it has been contested as a medal awarding event during the 1900, 1904, 1908, 1912 and the
1920 Olympic Games. England has won the most gold medals at the sport. Most odd sports that were part of the Olympics were only around for a single year or at most two Games. Tug of war is different because it was part of so many of them and now it may become
a medal awarding event again. It is all set to make a huge comeback but it just needs the right support and the right lobbying to take place on its behalf.
The game is very simple; two teams take to the field with a rope stretched between them. Both teams hold onto the rope and try to pull the other team towards the middle of the field where a line is drawn. Both teams consist
of 8 players who cannot exceed a maximum weight limit set in a category. The rope must pass under one arm of each player and it is a foul if the elbows go lower than the knees. During championships the rules are very strictly controlled but during other types
of events the rules can be relaxed. Sometimes a small moat or pond filled with water divides the two teams and any player who falls into the water is disqualified.
The sport has a governing body called the Tug of War International Federation that oversees and controls the rules and regulations and campaigns on its behalf. This organisation is pushing for the recognition of the sport
to become a part of the Olympics once again.
Over time there have been several accidents and injuries that have taken place in the sport. In 1997, in Taiwan, when a huge tug of war event was taking place, two men had their left arms severed under their shoulders in
a horrible accident. There were about 1600 people taking part in the event and the force on the rope was too much which snapped and whipped them, severing their arms. Both men were rushed to the hospital and their arms were reattached successfully.
In Colorado in 2007, two students had their hands partially severed during a school event when junior students were playing a tug of war mach against a senior team. Even though the game can sometimes be dangerous, these incidents
are isolated and rare.
Over time, tug of war has become more and more popular and is on track to become the newest and most exciting sport to take over the world. The sport is very exciting to watch and play as well and will probably become a very
serious competitor sport in a few years’ time.
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