Tug of war

Tug of war

Tug of war, also known as tug o' war, tug war, rope war or rope pulling, is a sport that directly pits two teams against each other in a test of strength. The term may also be used as a metaphor to describe a demonstration of brute strength by two opposing groups, such as a rivalry between two...

was contested as a team event in the Summer Olympics at every Olympiad from 1900 to 1920. Originally the competition was entered by clubs, which meant that one country could win several medals. This happened in 1904

1904 Summer Olympics

The 1904 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the III Olympiad, was an international multi-sport event which was celebrated in St. Louis, Missouri, in the United States from 1 July 1904, to November 23, 1904, at what is now known as Francis Field on the campus of Washington University...

, when the United States

United States at the Olympics

The United States of America has sent athletes to every celebration of the modern Olympic Games, except the 1980 Summer Olympics, which it boycotted.The United States Olympic Committee is the National Olympic Committee for the United States....

 won all three medals, and in 1908

1908 Summer Olympics

The 1908 Summer Olympics, officially the Games of the IV Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event which was held in 1908 in London, England, United Kingdom. These games were originally scheduled to be held in Rome. At the time they were the fifth modern Olympic games...

 when the podium was occupied by three British teams. Sweden was also among the top countries with two medals, one as a member of the mixed team.

During its time as an Olympic sport, it was considered to be part of the Olympic athletics programme

Athletics at the Summer Olympics

Athletics has been contested at every Summer Olympics since the birth of the modern Olympic movement at the 1896 Summer Olympics. The athletics program traces its earliest roots to events used in the ancient Greek Olympics. The modern program now comprises track and field events, road running...

, although the sports of tug of war

Tug of war

Tug of war, also known as tug o' war, tug war, rope war or rope pulling, is a sport that directly pits two teams against each other in a test of strength. The term may also be used as a metaphor to describe a demonstration of brute strength by two opposing groups, such as a rivalry between two...

 and athletics are now considered distinct.

Medal table

1	United Kingdom	2	2	1	5
2	United States	1	1	1	3
3	Sweden	1	0	0	1
		1	0	0	1
5	France	0	1	0	1
	Netherlands	0	1	0	1
7	Belgium	0	0	1	1
Total		5	5	3	13

Medal summary

1900 Paris Tug of war at the 1900 Summer Olympics At the 1900 Summer Olympics, a tug of war tournament was contested. Three teams entered, but the United States withdrew because of scheduling conflicts with the athletics program. Twelve athletes, comprising two teams and representing three nations, competed....		Raymond Basset Raymond Basset Denis Raymond Basset was a French tug of war competitor, who competed in the 1900 Summer Olympics.He participated in the tug of war competition and won a silver medal as a member of French team.-External links:*... Jean Collas Jean Collas Jean Collas was a French rugby union player and tug of war competitor, who competed in the 1900 Summer Olympics.He was a member of the French rugby union team, which won the gold medal.... Charles Gondouin Charles Gondouin Charles Gondouin was a French rugby union player and tug of war competitor, who competed in the 1900 Summer Olympics.He was a member of the French rugby union team, which won the gold medal.... Joseph Roffo Joseph Roffo Joseph Roffo was a French rugby union player and tug of war competitor, who competed in the 1900 Summer Olympics.He participated in the tug of war competition and won a silver medal as a member of French team.... Emile Sarrade Émile Sarrade Émile Sarrade was a French rugby union player and tug of war competitor, who competed in the 1900 Summer Olympics.He was a member of the French rugby union team, which won the gold medal.... Constantin Henriquez de Zubiera Constantin Henriquez de Zubiera Constantin Henriquez de Zubiera was a Haitian-born French rugby union footballer. He played as number eight, wing and centre.He played at Olympique de Paris and Stade Français...	none - only two teams competed
1904 St. Louis Tug of war at the 1904 Summer Olympics At the 1904 Summer Olympics, a tug of war tournament was contested. Six teams from three nations competing, with a total of 30 athletes involved. The four American teams took the top four places.-Results:...	(Milwaukee Athletic Club) Oscar Olson Oscar Olson Oscar G. Olson was an American tug of war athlete who competed in the 1904 Summer Olympics.In the 1904 Olympics he won a gold medal as a member of Milwaukee Athletic Club team.... Sidney Johnson Sidney Johnson (tug of war) Sidney B. Johnson was an American tug of war athlete who competed in the 1904 Summer Olympics.He was born in Ohio.In the 1904 Olympics he won a gold medal as a member of Milwaukee Athletic Club team.... Henry Seiling Henry Seiling Henry Seiling was an American tug of war athlete who competed in the 1904 Summer Olympics.He was born in Wisconsin.In the 1904 Olympics he won a gold medal as a member of Milwaukee Athletic Club team.... Conrad Magnusson Conrad Magnusson Conrad Magnusson was an American tug of war athlete who competed in the 1904 Summer Olympics.In the 1904 Olympics he won a gold medal as a member of Milwaukee Athletic Club team.-External links:**... Patrick Flanagan Patrick Flanagan (tug of war) Patrick "Pat" Flanagan was an American tug of war athlete who competed in the 1904 Summer Olympics.In the 1904 Olympics he won a gold medal as a member of Milwaukee Athletic Club team.-External links:*...	(Southwest Turnverein of Saint Louis No. 1) Max Braun Max Braun Max Braun was an American tug of war competitor and Olympic medalist. He competed in the 1904 Summer Olympics in St. Louis, where he received a silver medal.-References:... William Seiling William Seiling William Bernard Seiling was an American tug of war athlete who competed in the 1904 Summer Olympics.He was born in St. Louis, Missouri and died in Rural-Meramec.... Orrin Upshaw Orrin Upshaw Orrin Thomas Upshaw was an American tug of war athlete who competed in the 1904 Summer Olympics.In the 1904 Olympics he won a silver medal as a member of Southwest Turnverein of Saint Louis No. 1 team.... Charles Rose Charles Rose (athlete) Charles "Chuck" Rose was an American tug of war athlete who competed in the 1904 Summer Olympics.In the 1904 Olympics he won a silver medal as a member of St. Louis Southwest Turnverein team.-External links:*... August Rodenberg August Rodenberg August Henry Rodenberg was an American tug of war athlete who competed in the 1904 Summer Olympics.He was born and died in St. Louis, Missouri....	(Southwest Turnverein of Saint Louis No. 2) Charles Haberkorn Charles Haberkorn Charles Haberkorn was an American tug of war competitor and wrestler who competed in the 1904 Summer Olympics.In the 1904 Olympics he won a bronze medal as a member of Southwest Turnverein of Saint Louis No... Frank Kugler Frank Kugler Frank X. Kugler was an American wrestler, weightlifter and tug of war competitor who competed in the 1904 Summer Olympics.... Charles Thias Charles Thias Charles Henry Robert Thias was an American tug of war athlete who competed in the 1904 Summer Olympics.... Harry Jacobs Harry Jacobs (tug of war) Harry Jacobs was an American tug of war athlete who competed in the 1904 Summer Olympics.In the 1904 Olympics he won a bronze medal as a member of St. Louis Southwest Turnverein team.-External links:*... Oscar Friede Oscar Friede Oscar Charles Friede was an American tug of war athlete who competed in the 1904 Summer Olympics.He died in St. Louis, Missouri....
1908 London Tug of war at the 1908 Summer Olympics -Medal table:-Medal summary:-City of London Police:* Edward Barrett* John Duke* Frederick Goodfellow* Frederick Humphreys* William Hirons* Albert Ireton* Frederick Merriman* Edwin Mills* John James Shepherd-Liverpool Police:* James Clarke...	(City of London Police) William Hirons William Hirons William Hirons was a British tug of war competitor who competed in the 1908 Summer Olympics.He was part of the British team that won the gold medal in the tug of war competition.-External links:*... Frederick Goodfellow Frederick Goodfellow Frederick "Fred" William Goodfellow was a British tug of war competitor who competed in the 1908 Summer Olympics.He was part of the British team, which won the gold medal in the tug of war competition.-External links:*... Edward Barrett John James Shepherd John James Shepherd John James Shepherd was a British tug of war competitor who competed in the 1908 Summer Olympics, in the 1912 Summer Olympics, and in the 1920 Summer Olympics.... Frederick Humphreys Frederick Humphreys (athlete) Frederick Harkness Humphreys was a British tug of war competitor and sport wrestler who competed in the 1908 Summer Olympics, in the 1912 Summer Olympics, and in the 1920 Summer Olympics.... Edwin Mills Edwin Mills Edwin Archer Mills was a British tug of war competitor who competed in the 1908 Summer Olympics, in the 1912 Summer Olympics, and in the 1920 Summer Olympics.... Albert Ireton Albert Ireton Albert Ireton was a British tug of war competitor and boxer who competed in the 1908 Summer Olympics.... Frederick Merriman Frederick Merriman (athlete) Frederick "Fred" Harris Merriman was a British tug of war competitor who competed in the 1908 Summer Olympics.He was part of the British team, which won the gold medal in the tug of war competition.-External links:*... John Duke	(Liverpool Police) Patrick Philbin James Clarke James Clarke (athlete) James Michael Clarke was a British tug of war competitor who competed in the 1908 Summer Olympics.In 1908 he won the silver medal as member of the British team Liverpool Police.-External links:*... Thomas Butler Alexander Kidd Alexander Kidd Alexander Kidd was a British tug of war competitor who competed in the 1908 Summer Olympics. In 1908 he won the silver medal as member of the British team Liverpool Police.-External links:**... George Smith George Smith (athlete) George Smith was a British tug of war competitor who competed in the 1908 Summer Olympics.In 1908 he won the silver medal as member of the British team Liverpool Police.-External links:*... Thomas Swindlehurst Thomas Swindlehurst Thomas Swindlehurst was a British tug of war competitor who competed in the 1908 Summer Olympics.In 1908 he won the silver medal as member of the British team Liverpool Police.-External links:*... Daniel Lowey Daniel Lowey Daniel McDonald Lowey was a British tug of war competitor who competed in the 1908 Summer Olympics.In 1908 he won the silver medal as member of the British team Liverpool Police.-External links:*... William Greggan William Greggan William Greggan was a British tug of war competitor who competed in the 1908 Summer Olympics.In 1908 he won the silver medal as member of the British team Liverpool Police.-External links:*... Charles Foden	(Metropolitan Police K Division) Walter Tammas Walter Tammas Walter Baldry Tammas was a British tug of war competitor who competed in the 1908 Summer Olympics.In 1908 he won the bronze medal as member of the British team Metropolitan Police "K" Division.... William Slade William Slade (athlete) William Slade was a British tug of war competitor who competed in the 1908 Summer Olympics.In 1908 he won the bronze medal as member of the British team Metropolitan Police "K" Division.-External links:*... Alexander Munro Ernest Ebbage Ernest Ebbage Ernest Walter Ebbage was a British tug of war competitor who competed in the 1908 Summer Olympics.In 1908 he won the bronze medal as member of the British team Metropolitan Police "K" Division.... Thomas Homewood Thomas Homewood Thomas Homewood was a British tug of war competitor who competed in the 1908 Summer Olympics.In 1908 he won the bronze medal as member of the British team Metropolitan Police "K" Division.-External links:**... Walter Chaffe Walter Chaffe Walter Chaffe was a British tug of war competitor who competed in the 1908 Summer Olympics and in the 1912 Summer Olympics.... James Woodget James Woodget James Henry Woodget was a British tug of war competitor who competed in the 1908 Summer Olympics.In 1908 he won the bronze medal as member of the British team Metropolitan Police "K" Division.... Joseph Dowler Joseph Dowler Joseph Dowler was a British tug of war competitor who competed in the 1908 Summer Olympics and in the 1912 Summer Olympics.... T. J. Williams
1912 Stockholm Tug of war at the 1912 Summer Olympics The tug of war contest at the 1912 Summer Olympics consisted of a single match, as only two teams entered the competition.Sweden was represented by the Stockholm Police, while Great Britain's team came from the defending champion City of London Police...	Arvid Andersson Adolf Bergman Adolf Bergman Adolf Bergman was a Swedish tug of war competitor who competed in the 1912 Summer Olympics.He was part of the Swedish team, which won the gold medal in the tug of war competition.-External links:*... Johan Edman Johan Edman Johan Viktor Edman was a Swedish tug of war competitor who competed in the 1912 Summer Olympics.He was part of the Swedish team, which won the gold medal in the tug of war competition.-External links:*... Erik Algot Fredriksson Erik Algot Fredriksson Erik Algot Fredriksson was a Swedish tug of war competitor who competed in the 1912 Summer Olympics.He was part of the Swedish team, which won the gold medal in the tug of war competition.-External links:*... Carl Jonsson Carl Jonsson Carl Jonsson was a Swedish tug of war competitor who competed in the 1912 Summer Olympics.He was part of the Swedish team, which won the gold medal in the tug of war competition.-External links:*... Erik Larsson August Gustafsson August Gustafsson Per August Gustafsson was a Swedish tug of war competitor who competed in the 1912 Summer Olympics.He was part of the Swedish team, which won the gold medal in the tug of war competition.-External links:*... Herbert Lindström Herbert Lindström Carl Herbert Lindström was a Swedish tug of war competitor who competed in the 1912 Summer Olympics.He was part of the Swedish team, which won the gold medal in the tug of war competition.-External links:*...	Alexander Munro John Sewell John Sewell (athlete) John Sewell was a British tug of war competitor who competed in the 1912 Summer Olympics and in the 1920 Summer Olympics.In 1912 he won the silver medal as part of the British team City of London Police.... John James Shepherd John James Shepherd John James Shepherd was a British tug of war competitor who competed in the 1908 Summer Olympics, in the 1912 Summer Olympics, and in the 1920 Summer Olympics.... Joseph Dowler Joseph Dowler Joseph Dowler was a British tug of war competitor who competed in the 1908 Summer Olympics and in the 1912 Summer Olympics.... Edwin Mills Edwin Mills Edwin Archer Mills was a British tug of war competitor who competed in the 1908 Summer Olympics, in the 1912 Summer Olympics, and in the 1920 Summer Olympics.... Frederick Humphreys Frederick Humphreys (athlete) Frederick Harkness Humphreys was a British tug of war competitor and sport wrestler who competed in the 1908 Summer Olympics, in the 1912 Summer Olympics, and in the 1920 Summer Olympics.... Mathias Hynes Mathias Hynes Mathias Hynes was a British tug of war competitor who competed in the 1912 Summer Olympics.In 1912 he won the silver medal as member of the British team City of London Police, though he was Irish.... Walter Chaffe Walter Chaffe Walter Chaffe was a British tug of war competitor who competed in the 1908 Summer Olympics and in the 1912 Summer Olympics....	none - only two teams competed
1920 Antwerp Tug of war at the 1920 Summer Olympics The tug of war contest at the 1920 Summer Olympics was held on August 17, 1920 and on August 18, 1920.-Medal summary:-Participating nations:A total of 40 tug of war competitors from 5 nations competed at the Antwerp Games:...	George Canning George Canning (athlete) George Walter Canning was a British tug of war competitor who competed in the 1920 Summer Olympics.In 1920 he won the gold medal as member of the British team.-External links:*... Frederick Holmes Frederick Holmes Frederick William Holmes was a British tug of war competitor who competed in the 1920 Summer Olympics.In 1920 he won the gold medal as member of the British team.-External links:*... Edwin Mills Edwin Mills Edwin Archer Mills was a British tug of war competitor who competed in the 1908 Summer Olympics, in the 1912 Summer Olympics, and in the 1920 Summer Olympics.... John James Shepherd John James Shepherd John James Shepherd was a British tug of war competitor who competed in the 1908 Summer Olympics, in the 1912 Summer Olympics, and in the 1920 Summer Olympics.... Harry Stiff Harry Stiff Harold "Harry" Joseph Stiff was a British tug of war competitor who competed in the 1920 Summer Olympics, and won the gold medal.-External links:*... John Sewell John Sewell (athlete) John Sewell was a British tug of war competitor who competed in the 1912 Summer Olympics and in the 1920 Summer Olympics.In 1912 he won the silver medal as part of the British team City of London Police.... Frederick Humphreys Frederick Humphreys (athlete) Frederick Harkness Humphreys was a British tug of war competitor and sport wrestler who competed in the 1908 Summer Olympics, in the 1912 Summer Olympics, and in the 1920 Summer Olympics.... Ernest Thorn Ernest Thorn Ernest Arthur Thorn was a British tug of war competitor who competed in the 1920 Summer Olympics.In 1920 he won the gold medal as member of the British team.-External links:*...	Willem van Rekum Willem van Rekum Willem Cornelis van Rekum was a Dutch tug of war competitor who competed in the 1920 Summer Olympics.He was born in Arnhem and died in Arnhem.... Marinus van Rekum Marinus van Rekum Marinus Cornelis van Rekum was a Dutch tug of war competitor who competed in the 1920 Summer Olympics.He was born in Arnhem and died in Arnhem.... Willem van Loon Willem van Loon Willem van Loon was a Dutch tug of war competitor, who competed in the 1920 Summer Olympics.He was born in Arnhem and died in Arnhem.In 1920 Van Loon won the silver medal as member of the Dutch tug of war team.... Henk Janssen Henk Janssen Hendrikus Alexander Janssen was a Dutch tug of war competitor, who competed in the 1920 Summer Olympics.He was born in Arnhem and died in Arnhem.... Wilhelmus Bekkers Wilhelmus Bekkers Wilhelmus Johannes Bekkers was a Dutch tug of war competitor, who competed in the 1920 Summer Olympics.He was born and died in Arnhem.... Johannes Hengeveld Johannes Hengeveld Johannes Hendrikus Hengeveld was a Dutch tug of war competitor, who competed in the 1920 Summer Olympics.He was born in Arnhem and died in Arnhem.... Sijtse Jansma Sijtse Jansma Sijtse Jansma was a Dutch tug of war competitor who competed in the 1920 Summer Olympics.He was born in Leeuwarden and died in Amsterdam.In 1920 he won the silver medal as member of the Dutch tug of war team.... Antonius van Loon Antonius van Loon Antonius van Loon was a Dutch tug of war competitor, who competed in the 1920 Summer Olympics.He was born in Arnhem and died in Arnhem.In 1920 Van Loon won the silver medal as member of the Dutch tug of war team....	Édouard Bourguignon Édouard Bourguignon Édouard Bourguignon was a Belgian tug of war competitor who competed in the 1920 Summer Olympics.In 1920 he won the bronze medal as member of the Belgian tug of war team.-External links:*... Alphonse Ducatillon Alphonse Ducatillon Alphonse Ducatillon was a Belgian tug of war competitor who competed in the 1920 Summer Olympics.In 1920 he won the bronze medal as member of the Belgian tug of war team.-External links:*... Raymond Maertens Christin Piek Christin Piek Christin Albert Piek was a Belgian tug of war competitor who competed in the 1920 Summer Olympics.In 1920 he won the bronze medal as member of the Belgian tug of war team.-External links:*... Henri Pintens Henri Pintens Henri Pintens was a Belgian tug of war competitor who competed in the 1920 Summer Olympics.In 1920 he won the bronze medal as member of the Belgian tug of war team.-External links:*... Charles Van den Broeck Charles Van den Broeck Charles Van den Broeck was a Belgian tug of war competitor who competed in the 1920 Summer Olympics.In 1920 he won the bronze medal as member of the Belgian tug of war team.-External links:*... François Van Hoorenbeek François Van Hoorenbeek François Van Hoorenbeek was a Belgian tug of war competitor who competed in the 1920 Summer Olympics.In 1920 he won the bronze medal as member of the Belgian tug of war team.-External links:*... Gustave Wuyts Gustave Wuyts Gustave Marius Wuyts was a Belgian tug of war competitor who competed in the 1920 Summer Olympics.In 1920 he won the bronze medal as member of the Belgian tug of war team.-External links:*...

Nations

Teams consisted of 6 members in 1900 (Denmark and Sweden competed together), 5 members in 1904, and 8 members in the last three appearances of the sport.

Nation	00 Tug of war at the 1900 Summer Olympics At the 1900 Summer Olympics, a tug of war tournament was contested. Three teams entered, but the United States withdrew because of scheduling conflicts with the athletics program. Twelve athletes, comprising two teams and representing three nations, competed....	04 Tug of war at the 1904 Summer Olympics At the 1904 Summer Olympics, a tug of war tournament was contested. Six teams from three nations competing, with a total of 30 athletes involved. The four American teams took the top four places.-Results:...	08 Tug of war at the 1908 Summer Olympics -Medal table:-Medal summary:-City of London Police:* Edward Barrett* John Duke* Frederick Goodfellow* Frederick Humphreys* William Hirons* Albert Ireton* Frederick Merriman* Edwin Mills* John James Shepherd-Liverpool Police:* James Clarke...	12 Tug of war at the 1912 Summer Olympics The tug of war contest at the 1912 Summer Olympics consisted of a single match, as only two teams entered the competition.Sweden was represented by the Stockholm Police, while Great Britain's team came from the defending champion City of London Police...	20 Tug of war at the 1920 Summer Olympics The tug of war contest at the 1920 Summer Olympics was held on August 17, 1920 and on August 18, 1920.-Medal summary:-Participating nations:A total of 40 tug of war competitors from 5 nations competed at the Antwerp Games:...	Years
Belgium					8	1
Denmark	3					1
France	6					1
United Kingdom			24	8	8	3
Greece		5				1
Italy					8	1
Netherlands					8	1
South Africa		5				1
Sweden	3		8	8		3
United States		20	8		8	3
No. of nations	3	3	3	2	5	10
No. of pullers	12	30	40	16	40	128

External link