Underrated and underappreciated: 10 niche Olympic sports to watch at Paris 2024

CITIUS, ALTIUS, FORTIUS – or Faster, Higher, Stronger – are the opening three words of the Olympic motto. Considering the vast array of Olympic sports that don’t require athletes to move fast, jump high or heave a heavy piece of metal above their heads, we’re not sure how apt that motto is. And not just because it doesn’t apply in most cases, but because the sports where athletes go faster, higher and stronger aren’t even the most entertaining on the Olympic program.

When are we going to accept that just because a sport looks a little silly, it doesn’t make it any less impressive or fun to watch? Every Olympic cycle, we’re forced to hear fair weather viewers make snide comments like “Dude, I can’t believe they play ping pong at the Olympics!” or “Oh man, how ridiculous do these guys look in a walking race?”

Enough is enough. It’s about time we stop dismissing the otherworldly talent of some Olympians and start appreciating them for what they are: the best athletes in the world. That’s why we’re delving into ten niche Olympic sports that don’t get as much attention as the big hitters, but are no less entertaining.

Breaking

Starting off with a newbie, breaking – which is just Olympic speak for breakdancing – will make its Olympic debut in Paris. As part of the International Olympic Committee’s ongoing efforts to reach a younger audience, breaking and a slew of other ‘urban’ events like skateboarding, BMX freestyle and sport climbing have been introduced on the Olympic program – much to the annoyance of hardline traditionalists.

We’ve all likely attempted some breakdancing moves in our living rooms at some stage, so that should make the skills of B-Boys and B-Girls (yes, that’s what they call breaking athletes), even more impressive. And in case you needed yet another reason to tune in, B-Boys and B-Girls are primarily known by their stage names. For example, the gold medal favourite in the men’s event is a Canadian known as Phil Wizard. Sick.

Table Tennis

Detractors of Olympic table tennis will point to it essentially being a party game on the same level as pool or darts, that just about anyone can do. We see your point and raise you an unavoidable truth: there is no way you can compete with these athletes. Watch an Olympic table tennis match, be amazed by their pinpoint accuracy, lightning-quick reflexes and perfectly-timed grunts of exertion and then see if you still think you can keep up.

Badminton

Like many of the other sports on this list, disdain for badminton largely stems from the belief that any regular viewer sitting at home on their couch could give it a go and find great success. Take a look at the skill level involved and get back to us on that.

Artistic Swimming

The only reason we think arguments against artistic swimming being an Olympic sport have legs is because, for the most part, it’s a subjectively judged event. They removed art from the program after the 1948 Games for that exact reason. Yet, artistic swimming remains, and we think it deserves to. There’s nothing but 17 feet of water under these swimmers. Just look at what they’re doing and how quickly they’re doing it without tiring. Then you’ll see that while it may be subjective, artistic swimming is no cakewalk.

Race Walking

We’ll admit race walking does look a bit ridiculous, with its seemingly overexaggerated movements and skeleton-thin competitors performing what is a menial task for most. But that’s just because we’ve never race walked before. Have you?

Well, consider that the winner of the men’s 20km race walk at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics completed the race in one hour and 20 minutes. That’s a pace of around four minutes per kilometre, which would be an impressive marathon pace and a speed that many people couldn’t hold for a single kilometre.

Equestrian Dressage

Critics of equestrian have argued that it shouldn’t be an Olympic sport because it’s the horse, not the rider, who does most of the work. We take your point, but not every Olympic sport needs to be a display of immense physical ability. Sometimes it’s just nice to watch the horses do a little dance.

Sport Climbing

This is another of the ‘urban’ sports that the IOC has added to the program in recent years, and it’s another that many will assume they could do just because it looks similar to rock climbing. Once again, we must remind you that scaling a 15-metre wall in five seconds is on another level than you hurting your lower back on your first attempt at bouldering.

Fencing

We think it’s probably the Hunger Games peacekeeper outfit that leads many to discount the impressiveness of fencing, but it’s another seriously challenging – if marginally outdated – sport. Sure, humans no longer need to go to battle with swords, but fencing is an homage to a time when we did, which is really what the Olympics are all about – bridging the gap between past and present. Plus, it’s impossible not to be entertained by someone yelling ‘en garde!’ every thirty seconds.

Handball

We predominantly play a different kind of handball in Australia, which is likely why a lot of people dismiss the European brand of the sport But just look at how unique handball is. There really is nothing like it. It’s equal parts basketball, soccer and rugby, but somehow not similar to any of them at the same time – and that’s why believe it’s worth your time.

Modern Pentathlon

You might think that fencing, swimming, horse riding, shooting and running are a slightly ridiculous combination, but we firmly believe the amalgam makes for thrilling viewing. In no other sport – not decathlon or heptathlon, which mostly stick to track and field events – is as much versatility required as the modern pentathlon, which was originally designed to test cavalry officers. Plus, with the ever-growing threat of global conflict, perhaps it’s time we start getting our kids into modern pentathlon again.

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