The Olympic Games comprise a vast number of sporting events and disciplines. Interestingly, however, there are a few popular sports that have not yet made it to the Olympics sporting list. What sports are not included in the Olympics? HalalTrip has listed below five of the most popular non-Olympic sports.
One of the world’s most popular sports with high popularity in Asia, Australia, and England is not a part of the Olympics as yet. There are records of cricket being played in the 14th century when it used to be a traditional sport in England played by royalty. But cricket will not be seen at the Rio Games 2016 even though it did make an appearance and the 1900 Olympic Games in Paris.
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Baseball is one the best-loved sports, especially in the United States and Japan and it had previously made its debut at the 1904 Olympics. The game has been picked up for some years and was even made an official sport in 1992 but then got voted out during the later years. However, it will not be played at the Summer Olympics 2016.
Squash is an English sport that was invented in 1830 that became an official sport in 1864. The game was very popular in England, Pakistan, as well as Egypt, and there, are about 185 countries officially playing squash today. While it may not be a part of the Brazil Olympics, there is a chance that it might be a part of the 2024 Olympics.
Bowling has actually made an appearance at the 1988 Seoul Olympics but only as a demonstration sport where Singapore, South Korea and Finland gained top positions. There have been attempts by the Fédération Internationale des Quilleurs to install bowling as an Olympic event, but it will not be played at the Summer Olympics 2016.
Mixed Martial Arts or MMA fighting has gained a high level of worldwide popularity but has yet to make an appearance at the Olympics. It is quite a violent sport with less emphasis on safety gear but it does have its own set of rules that would have to be altered. The interesting fact is that MMA can be seen as a similar sport to a rough sport Pankration which was a part of the Ancient Greek Olympics. It was a mixture of wrestling and boxing with a few rules. But of course, MMA has its own fighting styles and rules.
Mosques in Rio Janeiro include the Sociedade Beneficente Muçulmana which is also a community center and The Mesquita da Luz. Muslim travelers will be able to use separate prayer rooms for men and women at the multi-faith center in the athletes’ village.
Muslim travelers can ask restaurant staff if they serve Halal food or food that does not contain pork or alcohol. When in doubt, vegetarian or seafood items can be ordered to be safe. While Brazil exports Halal meat, it is hard to find Halal restaurants. Muslims traveling to the Rio Olympics can get more information from the Sociedade Beneficente Muçulmana or the mosque as well.
