DID YOU KNOW…
The Olympic Sport Where Hundreds of Birds Were Killed for Medals
Did you know? The 1900 Paris Summer Olympics featured "live pigeon shooting," an official event where competitors aimed to shoot down real, flying pigeons to win medals, resulting in the deaths of hundreds of birds.
This controversial event, the only time live animals were intentionally killed in Olympic competition, required participants to pay an entry fee for the grim privilege. Athletes were eliminated if they failed to shoot two birds, with reports indicating over 300 pigeons were killed during the competition. The event was won by Belgian Leon de Lunden, who reportedly shot 21 pigeons. Public outcry and evolving ethical standards ensured that live pigeon shooting was never repeated as an Olympic sport.
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