The most dangerous sports in the world

Playing a sport is not always without risk. Among the most dangerous sports, there are of course those that are called extreme sports. But others that we imagine much safer can also cause accidents.

Establishing a classification of the most dangerous sports is not easy. Firstly because it depends on the definition that one wishes to give to "dangerous sport". Second, because comparable data are often lacking.

Mountaineering, at the top of risk sports

Everyone seems to agree, however, that mountaineering is the most dangerous sport in the world. David Spiegelhalter, a statistician from the University of Cambridge, gives some figures. So among those who have attempted theascent of Mount Everest, 1 in 25 are dead. And more generally, in the Himalayas, about 1 in 80 mountaineers venture beyond 8,000 meters does not descend alive.

Other nearby activities such as freeride skiing or ski touring are also particularly deadly. Given the uncertainties of the available data, the risk would be the same magnitude than the one we take while climbing car.

The risks of throwing yourself into the void

British scientist Angelo Grubisic died in a base-jumping accident in Saudi Arabia.

“Angelo lost his life doing what he loved most – wingsuit base jumping." Https://t.co/O64rpoOLju

– New York Daily News (@NYDailyNews) August 23, 2019

The suits that give base jumpers the appearance of flying squirrels seem particularly present in the event of an accident. © Twitter

Another particularly dangerous sport: base jump, this extreme sport which consists of throwing down fixed objects equipped with a parachute. In Norway, Mount Kjerag is sometimes considered the safest spot in the matter. Despite this, he has a sad record of one death every 2,300 jumps approximately.

The skydiving more classic seems much less risky.

Scuba diving, a dangerous sport

For followers of the scuba diving, the main risk is decompression. But panic, darkness and sometimes violent currents can also be fatal. Figures collected by David Spiegelhalter from the British Sub-Aqua Club show that a diver has a 1 in 125,000 risk of dying from a diving accident.

Horse riding among the most dangerous of mainstream sports

Among the sports that can be described as "general public", horse riding is one of the most dangerous. The horse is a muscular, heavy and … living animal! It can therefore have unexpected reactions that are difficult to control. It is then generally the fall. Often of little consequence, but sometimes also fatal. In 2007, a dark year for this sport, horse riding worldwide deplored 11 deaths.

The dangers of motor sports

By car or motorbike, the speed regularly spectacular accidents and particularly dangerous. All the more so when the terrain is rough as in motocross.

And so many others …

Another sport in which injuries and long-term damage are most common is rugby, which is practiced almost without protection. There are also combat sports like boxing or MMA. Repeated strokes can cause behavioral problems. And … the cheese-rolling which consists of rolling a cheese from the top of a hill. A perilous exercise regularly causing fractures!

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