Pelota is a generic name for various hand-and-ball or racquet-and-ball games derived from the ancient French racquet sport of jeu de paume. The best-known version of the sport is probably chistera (also xistera or cesta punta), which uses baskets to handle the ball. In the United States, it is better known as the betting sport of jai alai. Basque pelota, predominantly played in the Basque regions and contiguous provinces of France and Spain, has thrice been an Olympic demonstration sport in 1924, 1968, and 1992. In addition, at the unusual Olympic Games of 1900, a version of pelota can be considered to have been an Olympic sport.
It is the only sport where Olympic medals have been awarded despite the sport having never taken place at the Olympic Games. It was to be played at the 1900 Olympics but only one Spanish pair remained after a French pair withdrew shortly before the Olympic match was scheduled.
ESP