Sports The Olympics Forgot: From climbing pyramids to chopping vegetables Mongol-style

by Julian Worker

Sports YOU should know more about. 

This book describes 40 new sports you probably should not try at home including: The Dracula Race in Romania. Here contestants have to run around Sighisoara before cycling to Bran Castle and cook kebabs on the way. Mongol Vegetable Chopping from Russia. Participants have to chop vegetables whilst riding along on horseback. Curling Pool from the USA. Here the players have to score points, by trying to ricochet their curling stones into depressions in the ice. All the stories are individual and distinct and can be read independently if necessary; a book for the busy individual who perhaps has five minutes to spare to understand the complexities of Bull Pulling or Unicycle Volleyball.

None of these sports should be attempted at home; the best way to research these sports further would be to find the relevant sporting associations on the Internet and contact them. These associations would also be able to put you in touch with like-minded individuals.

Genres: Humor

116 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 13, 2013

About the author

I was born in Leicester and support the Tigers and the relegated Foxes. I attended school in Yorkshire and university in Liverpool.

I have visited 96 countries and territories. My most recent trips in 2023 were to Islay, Jura, Madeira, Porto Santo, mainland Portugal, North-Eastern Turkey, Armenia, Georgia, and The Peloponnese.

In 2024, I went to The Algarve, rode on The Great Little Trains of Wales, sailed between the Saronic Gulf islands of Greece as well as visiting Thessaloniki, The Pembrokeshire Coast, and the Ionian island of Kythira.

I love photography and writing.

My second newest book is called Dragon Lawyer : Scales of Justice and is about a young dragon called Wendy who becomes a lawyer in a parallel universe. She helps fairy tale characters obtain legal redress for the injustices they've suffered in previous stories.

My newest book is called Tree-Hugging Cats, the third book in the series about Gemma and Freddie, two cats who save a local tree from felling as well breaking up a people-smuggling ring at Europoort.

Reviews

[Alan Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an abridged copy of this book from Netgalley in return for an honest opinion.
There are some very strange sports featured in this book, most of which I'd certainly never heard of, how the author discovered most of these is impressive. A good read for anyone with any sporting interest and otherwise as it highlights the eccentricities and inventiveness of people.
There are some I'd actually like to see as an Olympic event, such as Dockey.

[Cat · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'd watch these! I'd bet others might enjoy Mongol Vegetable Cutting show on a cooking channel! I know lots of people who would enjoy Beagle Chasing and maybe even Hobby Horse Polo! Great job, Julian Worker! Very creative.

I received a Kindle ARC from Netgalley in exchange for a fair review.

[Laura · Rating 2 out of 5]

Mr. Worker clearly had an enjoyable time researching and writing this book. I wasn't sure what to think of the book until I got to the bit about Docky and started to really chuckle. The Anti-Pope Games also left a distinct impression in my memory. While there may only be a niche market for this book, if you've ever wondered about the sport of Mongol Vegetable Cutting, the Andalusia Hopping Race or Bull Pulling, look no further than this definitive work.

[Bookish_predator · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read 40 Humorous British Traditions in November last year and loved it so I knew the moment I saw this that I had to read it.

Snooker Marbles in Sheffield, Pole Vaulting at Hadrian's Wall, Beagle Chasing in Athestone (one of my particular favourites after the cancellation of the annual Staffie Toy Drive when it became clear that the toys would not survive the 30 minute walk to their final destination, it was absolute carnage with teddy bear heads flying about, stuffing covering everything and a mass game of tug of war as we tried to take the toys away, such a sad day for all involved, especially the staffies), The Dracula Race in Sighisoara, Romania (One I'm hoping to participate in very soon), Handstand Games in Moscow, Russia and Mad Paddling in Hobart, Tasmania are some of the many sports we don't hear much about at all so I'm extremely glad that Mr Worker has finally brought these to everyone's attention.

The next time you go to one of the places in this book, I highly encourage you to take part in one or more of these sports. You never know, you could be a champion at the Pogo Stick Marathon or Hobby Horse Polo.

*Huge thanks to Julian Worker, BooksGoSocial and NetGalley for this copy which I chose to read and all opinions are my own*

[Sam Law · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a lovely book! It's the Wacky Races for Sport, and guaranteed to get a great laugh. I could see these being used in a charity event, or an alternative Olympics.

Read More Book Reviews on my blog It's Good To Read

It ranges from the UK and Europe, to all the other inhabited continents. From gumshield-wearing competitors in the Skipton skipping games, to pole-vaulters over Hadrian's Wall, there is something to amuse everyone. Dockey sounds incredible, and is definitely one of those ideas that sounded great after a bevy of pints! The download I got only gave the UK games, but it gave me a super laugh!! Recommended for these alone :D

[Lisabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher. and the author for allowing me to read and review a digital copy of this book. I'd watch these! I'd bet others might enjoy Mongol Vegetable Cutting show on a cooking channel! I know lots of people who would enjoy Beagle Chasing and maybe even Hobby Horse Polo! Great job, Julian Worker! Very creative.

[Stephanie Cook · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
It was intriguing, to say the least. I learned quite a number of new things that I had no idea about before. However, the book didn’t hold my attention like I thought it would.