Olympic events that didn't run the course!

Tug of war - this event took place between 1900 and 1920.

Duelling pistols - firing at 'dummies', this event was a one-off in Stockholm in 1912.

Rope climb - originally part of the gymnastics competition, its last appearance was in 1932.

Standing triple jump - pre 1912 all the jumping events were from a standing start.

Solo synchronised swimming - lasted for only three games (1984, 1988 and 1992).

Roque - A US version of croquet that was only played in the US. In 1904 only US athletes competed in this event. It was dropped soon after.

Distance plunging - Another one-off event (1904) that only had American competitors.

Swimming obstacle race - A 200m race incorporating climbing a pole and clambering over and under boats. First and last appearance - 1900.

Jeu de Paume - basically consisted of tennis without any racquets. It was first played as an event in 1908, and withdrawn by 1920.

Live pigeon shooting - Contested only once in 1900 in Paris. In excess of 300 pigeons were killed.

The Mail on Saturday, Saturday, May 2, 2009

JRR Tolkein

Tolkein's Legend of Sigurd and Gudrun is published for the first time today (May5, 2009).

The Hobbit was first published 72 years ago, with an initial print run of 1,500 copies. It has now sold more than 100 million copies worldwide and has been translated into nearly 50 different languages.

In 2008 a 1937 copy of The Hobbit sold for £60,000.

Worldwide, The Lord of the Rings trilogy of films has taken almost £3 billion.

The Mail on Saturday, Saturday, May 2, 2009