Okay, easy question: what is Canada’s national sport? Yes, of course – hockey! But wait, you are only half correct.
Canada’s also has an official summer sport: lacrosse. For the 23% of Canadians that get that question wrong, shame on you. Please turn in your Canadian passport, along with your supply of maple syrup and your polar bear hunting license. (normally we would ask you to return your BlackBerry, but we know you don’t have that any more).
What about the national sport of other countries? Check out these ones. Some are obvious, but others may surprise you.
| FLAG | COUNTRY | NATIONAL SPORT | SIMPLIFIED |
 |
Italy | Football (yes, you can call it soccer) |
It is a beautiful game, even if the Italians have a reputation (fairly or not) for diving. |
 |
Scotland | Golf | Golf originated in Scotland around 1497, and has been associated with the Scots ever since. |
 |
China | Table Tennis | The Chinese seem to excel at a lot of sporting activities these days, but this may be their best. |
 |
USA | Baseball | Hey, it’s America’s game…just not this year, right? |
 |
Anguilla | Yacht Racing | Probably not the cheapest sport to play as a child. |
 |
Ireland | Gaelic Games | Gaelic football, hurling, handball and rounders. Add in some Guiness and we have a tournament! |
 |
Japan | Sumo Wrestling | We need more activities that require a daily intake of 10,000 calories. |
 |
Lithuania | Basketball | I know a handful of Lithuanians and they are all pretty tall. I see what is going on here. |
 |
Philippines | Arnis | A martial art that involves fighting with sticks and other weapons. |
 |
Romania | Oină | A bat and ball game with similarities to baseball and cricket. |
 |
Turkey | Oil Wrestling | I am betting this is way harder and less sexy than it sounds. |
 |
Norway | Cross Country Skiing | Norwegians love the flat snow. |
 |
Columbia | Tejo | A puck is thrown towards a clay covered board set at a 45 degree angle. Think horseshoes. |
 |
Chile | Chilean Rodeo | A twist on North American style rodeos where calves are pinned against large cushions. |
 |
Afghanistan | Buzkashi | Horse-mounted players attempt to drag a goat carcass towards the goal. I can’t make this stuff up. |
 |
Nepal | Dandi Bayo | Wooden sticks fling wooden pins, played in a format that resembles cricket. |
What other countries have interesting or surprising national sports? Let us know!
~Written by Rob Davies