This game has far-off origins. Some researchers maintain that long before the Middle Ages, it was a ritual symbolizing the struggle between good and evil. In one of his paintings, Brueghel illustrates this game with its two teams. One member from each team is the head of the horse – or any other chosen animal. The other participants form a line behind the head; they represent the body of the animal. The objective of each team is to make the opponent fall down. From 1900 until 1920, tug-of-war was an official event at the Olympics. In Canada, several children, and even adults, have played this game.
