While the world typically tunes in to follow marquee events like athletics and swimming, there’s actually a wide array of incredibly thrilling lesser-known sports contested across the 42 Olympic disciplines showcased in Rio this month.
Here are five sports to fall in love with over the course of the Olympics.
TRAMPOLINE
On the face of it, bouncing up and down on a trampoline hardly sounds like an Olympic sport. But a few minutes of watching Trampoline Gymnastics reveals the incredible level of skill and athleticism these competitors actually possess.
Bouncing on a trampoline to heights of eight metres, athletes perform acrobatic movements such as twists and somersaults in mid-air, and are awarded points for difficulty, execution and flight time. The discipline made its debut in Sydney 2000 and has gained a strong following ever since.
Current champions: Rosannagh MacLennan (CAN), Dong Dong (CHN)
BMX
The latest cycling discipline to be added to the Olympic schedule, BMX has been gaining popularity ever since it debuted in Beijing 2008. Intense racing, big jumps and plenty of crashes – BMX is one of the most thrilling spectacles of the Summer Games.
The competition is in the ‘supercross’ format: each heat has eight riders, with the first four to cross the finish line going through to the next round, eventually to the final.
Current champions: Mariana Pajon (COL), Maris Strombergs (LAT)
BEACH VOLLEYBALL
Perhaps no discipline is more closely linked to the city of Rio de Janeiro than beach volleyball, which will be staged in an arena set up on the iconic Copacabana beach – the spiritual home of the sport.
Considering Brazil is the most decorated nation in Olympic beach volleyball history, winning 11 of the 30 total medals since the sport was added to the Summer Games in 1996, we can count on the home crowd to throw a beach party like we’ve never seen before.
Current champions: Misty May- Treanor/Kerri Walsh Jennings (USA), Julius Brink/Jonas Reckermann
(GER)
CANOE SLALOM
Part of the Olympic roster since Munich 1972, canoe slalom is a mix of high speed thrills, whitewater rapids and obstacles, which recreate the tradition of canoeing on a man-made course that tests the competitors’ strength and skill to their limits.
In either canoes or kayaks, athletes must complete a 250m white-water course, passing through gates and avoiding obstacles, in the shortest time possible.
Current champions: Tony Estanguet (FRA) (C-1), Tim Baillie/ Etienne Stott (GBR) (C-2), Daniele Molmenti (ITA) (K-1), Emilie Fer (FRA) (K-1)
SHOW JUMPING
The equestrian events are the only ones where men and women compete against each other and on equal terms at the Olympics. Between the grace of the horses and the precision of the riders, show jumping is one of the most beautiful sports to watch at the Games.
Current champions: Steve Guerdat (SUI) (individual), Great Britain (team)
