Oldest Sport in the World and Its Ancient Origins

Records on the oldest sports’ origins are sketchy. Anthropologists have found evidence of drawings of sporting events going back many centuries and generations. There is a betting market for all sports.

The modern Olympics began in 1896, with over 240 athletes (all men) from 14 countries converging on Athens, Greece. Competitions were held in archery, cycling, fencing, gymnastics, shooting, swimming, tennis, track and field, weightlifting, and wrestling.

Greece was chosen in honor of the ancient Olympics being held there. The belief is that the first Olympics were held in 776 BC. The oldest sports known to mankind already had a following.

Let’s look at the world’s oldest sports, some of which continue to be watched at the best sports bars in America.

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A Look At The World’s Oldest Sports

Hit The Ground Running

Finding a sport that has existed longer than running will be challenging. Running is clearly one of the ancient sports. Being the fastest person in a town or a village is never bad for survival or bragging rights.

There were drawings of people sprinting more than 15,000 years ago in France.

Obviously, the Olympic 100-meter race has taken on a life of its own as the winner of that race is considered to be the world’s fastest human.

The first Olympic champion in the 100 was American Thomas Burke in 1896. Americans won five of the first six gold medals in the 100. Thanks to the Chariots of Fire movie, the story of Great Britain’s Harold Abrahams winning Olympic gold in the 100-meter dash in 1896 is well known.

Jesse Owens made history in 1936, winning the 100-meter race, one of four Olympic gold medals. Carl Lewis matched that feat in 1984.

Wrestling Never Goes Out Of Style

Generations before Hulk Hogan no-selling finishing moves by his opponents helped to turn professional wrestling into an impressive money-making venture.

Around the time that drawings and depictions of people running and sprinting were found, similar images of wrestlers began to surface. That helps to make wrestling one of the oldest sports with a following.

Except for the 1900 Games, Greco-Roman wrestling was in every Olympic program. Thanks to the WWE, professional wrestling reached new heights. There are times when championship amateur wrestlers find success in professional wrestling. However, those who failed to make it as professional football players are likelier to be promoted by the major wrestling companies.

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Archery Has A Long History

Like running, archery was crucial to survival before it became popular as one of the oldest sports.

According to a blog on the oldest.org site, ancient Egyptians were among the civilizations that used archery in battle and put food on the table.

It has been a regular part of the Olympic Games. South Korea leads the way with 32 gold medals and 50 overall medals. American Darrell Pace won two of the first four individual Olympic gold medals.

Swimmers Continue To Make A Splash

Much of what was said about running could be used to point to the origins of swimming.

There is proof of people swimming dating back to the prehistoric era. Competitive swimming is said to have started in the 1800s.

This is another sport that has been a staple of Olympic programs.

Boxing

Boxing and other forms of hand-to-hand combat date back to prehistoric times. Competitive boxing matches began to gain popularity in Great Britain.

Boxing made its Olympic debut in 1904, with the United States dominating in the early Olympics before Cuba became an international boxing power in the early 1970s.

What Are the Oldest Sports and Games in History?

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