The Oldest Sports in the World Still Played Today

Wrestling’s origins trace to Lascaux France cave art from 15300 years ago and it remains an Olympic sport today.

Running was the sole event at the inaugural Olympics in Greece evolving into various modern track disciplines.

Boxing began as bare-knuckle fights in Mesopotamia and was formalized in the Olympics by 688 BCE still thriving today.

Archery from the Upper Paleolithic era was key for survival and is still a competitive sport with Olympic status.

Gymnastics developed by ancient Greeks for warfare prep became a popular Olympic sport evolving into modern routines.

Tsu Chu involved kicking a ball into a net without hands an ancestor of soccer still played globally today.

The Mesoamerican Ballgame played by Olmecs and Aztecs lives on as ulama among indigenous groups in Mexico.

Hurling dating to prehistoric Ireland is a fast-paced field game still popular especially in Ireland.

Polo originating in Persia requires horses and a mallet to score goals maintaining its status as a historic sport.

Javelin throwing from ancient Greece tested warriors’ skills and is still contested in the modern Olympics.