Olympic Sports Played on Grass
Grass surfaces have long been the stage for some of the most thrilling sports in history. At the Olympic Games, the sports played on grass offer a lush, green backdrop for feats of athleticism both past and present. Whether it's field hockey, football, or rugby sevens, join us as we celebrate the games that turn grass into a field of dreams.
London Olympics football game on grassThere are many more Olympic sports played on grass than you think. Some of these may be a bit of a stretch to say they are grass sports, but at least there is some grass involved.
The obvious Summer Olympic Games Grass Sports
And less obvious ones:
- Athletics Field Events — for the field events discus, javelin and hammer throw, the implement lands on grass.
- Equestrian — the eventing discipline is conducted over a cross-country course, with plenty of grassy fields to cross.
- Modern pentathlon — the cross-country running part of the modern pentathlon is usually conducted on a grass running circuit.
- Mountain Bike — sections of the mountain bike course are on grass.
Olympics Sports Once Played on Grass
- Tennis — the Olympic Games tennis competition was played on a grass surface in 1908, 1920 and 2012.
- Field Hockey — prior to 1976, field hockey games were played on grass.
- Basketball — the 1936 basketball tournament was played outdoors on grass and dirt courts.
- Handball — Handball was first introduced at the Olympic Games at the 1936 Olympics, a version played outdoors on a grass surface. The sport returned as an official sport for the 1972 Olympics, in its current format as an indoor sport.
- Archery — early archery competitions were set up on a grass field.
Discontinued Grass Sports
- Athletics Cross-Country Run — Cross-country running featured in three summer Olympics, in 1912, 1920, and 1924
- Baseball and softball — these sports have come and gone from the Olympics, but always played on a grassy field.
- Croquet — played only once, in 1900.
- Polo — Polo was on the Olympic program five times between 1900-1924.
- Tug of War — The tug of war event was held at the Olympics from 1900 to 1920, and it was usually on sand but maybe on grass once or twice
Demonstration Grass Sports
- AFL — There was a demonstration of Australian Rules Football at the 1956 Melbourne Olympic Games. The field used was smaller than usual, as it was played on the grass inside the athletics track.
New Grass Sport
- Cricket — a T20 version of cricket will be played at the LA 2028 Olympics.
- Lacrosse — will be making its debut at the LA Games, though it may be played on an artificial surface. When it was previously at the Olympics in 1904 and 1908 the competition was on grass.
- Flag Football — this version of American football will be making its debut at the LA Games, though it may be played on an artificial surface.
Related Pages
- Trivia about Olympic Sports
- Water sports at the Olympic Games
- List of Olympic Sports
- More Olympic Games Trivia
- Oldest competitors per sport
- Youngest competitors per sport
- Discontinued Olympic Sports
- Olympic Games Quiz Night Questions
- Tokyo Olympics Fun Facts
- More Sports Trivia
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