Track Cycling

First Olympic Year:

Ever since the start 1896. There was a gap in 1912, the Swedes don't like banked roads. Women started in 1988.

Origin:

Almost immediately after the popularity of bikes. People decided to race bikes. People wanted to see biking. This means that someone wanted to make money on people wanting to watch the people racing on bikes.

Track cycling allowed an easy way to put a lot of people in a stadium and charge prices. Plus, banked tracks!

There are many different events that have come in and out of the sport. The Olympic events in track cycling have not even been consistent throughout the years. Just know, usually the fastest is the best.

Judo

First Olympic Year:

1964, every Olympics since 1972.

Origin:

The martial art started around 1882 and the sport of throwing dudes to ground by their Judogis¹ was in 1884. These were tournaments started by schools teaching Judo. Kodokan Monthly Tournament and the Red and White tournament started in 1884 and still exist today. It's old.

The first formal rules showed up around 1889. I imagine this made the original contests similar to the Kickboxer movies and Lionheart, or any Jean Claude van Dam movie that does not include a stopping a penalty shot in the Stanley Cup finals.² For the unfamiliar that means TO THE DEATH.³ Around World War Uno they decided choking and locks around the neck weren't the best idea so those were outlawed. Also there was a demonstration of Judo in the 1932 games but the creator Kano didn't really care.

Fencing

First Olympic Year:

At the first Olympics 1896. Women started in 1924.

Origin:

Swordplay of course. It shows who would be the best in the battle. This of course became a way to show other men that you can kill them. You disrespected my honor, I challenge you to a duel!

The first book on fencing was written between 1458 and 1471.¹ It wasn't really used for modern fencing, but it was founded in Spain and it made its way to Italy and France, because during that time Spain was kind of a dick and liked to invade things. I mean this is Spanish Armada type Spain, the Spain who would send dudes to the New World to destroy a native population. Right after 1471 the Royals decided they didn't like people slapping each other with white gloves and outlawed dueling.

Italy had the first school of fencing, then bettered by the French school of fencing, and Spain didn't become popular until the 19^th century. All three are important in modern fencing.

After the Gran Guerra, dueling became pretty unpopular. After experiencing mustard gas and trench warfare stabbing one another was less appetizing. This changed on how people trained because you could take multiple shots to the neck in the sport and win the match.