Great Britain at the Olympics

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to: navigation, search
Great Britain at the Olympic Games

Flag of the United Kingdom
IOC code  GBR
NOC British Olympic Association
Website www.olympics.org.uk
Olympic history
Summer Games
Winter Games

Great Britain is the team that sends athletes from the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (UK) plus the three Crown dependencies and all but three of the British overseas territories, to the Olympic Games. It is organised by the British Olympic Association (BOA) as the National Olympic Committee for Great Britain and Northern Ireland. While the BOA and the overall games organizers the International Olympic Committee (IOC) both refer to the team as Great Britain, allocating them the IOC country code GBR, the BOA also currently uses the brand name Team GB for the team, explaining that Team GB is the Great Britain and Northern Ireland Olympic Team.[1][2]

Great Britain was one of 14 teams to compete in the first Games, the 1896 Summer Olympics in Athens, and is one of only three nations (France and Switzerland are the others) to have competed at every Summer and Winter Olympic Games. Athletes representing Great Britain have won 780 medals at the Summer Olympic Games, and another 22 at the Winter Olympic Games. Great Britain is the only team to have won at least one gold medal at every Summer Games.

The most successful British Olympians by gold medals won are Chris Hoy who won six gold medals in track cycling and Steve Redgrave, who won five gold medals in rowing. Hoy and fellow cyclist Bradley Wiggins have the most overall medals by British Olympians with seven each.[3]

Chris Hoy is the most successful cyclist in Olympic history and Ben Ainslie, with four golds at consecutive Games and a silver medal, is the most successful sailor in Olympic history.

Contents

Eligibility[edit]

As the National Olympic Committee (NOC) for the United Kingdom, the British Olympic Association (BOA) membership encompasses the four Home Nations of the United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales), plus the three Crown dependencies (Isle of Man, Jersey and Guernsey), and all but three of the British overseas territories (Cayman Islands, British Virgin Islands and Bermuda having their own NOCs).

Representatives of the devolved Northern Ireland government, however, have objected to the name "Team GB", which they argue creates a perception that Northern Ireland is not part of the British Olympic team, and have called for the team to be renamed as Team UK.[4][5]

Athletes from Northern Ireland can elect to represent either Britain or Ireland at the Olympics, as people from Northern Ireland are legally entitled to dual citizenship.[6][dead link]

Hosted Games[edit]

London, the United Kingdom's capital, is the first and, to date, only city to host the Olympics on three occasions.

Games Dates NOCs
1908 Summer Olympics 27 April – 31 October 22
1948 Summer Olympics 29 July – 14 August 59
2012 Summer Olympics 27 July – 12 August 204

Medals by Summer Games[edit]

According to official data of the International Olympic Committee.[7]

     Host nation

Games Athletes Gold Silver Bronze Total Rank
1896 Athens 8 2 3 2 7 5
1900 Paris 103 15 6 9 30 3
1904 St. Louis 3 1 1 0 2 6
1908 London 676 56 51 39 146 1
1912 Stockholm 293 10 15 16 41 3
1920 Antwerp 204 15 15 13 43 3
1924 Paris 307 9 13 12 34 4
1928 Amsterdam 234 3 10 7 20 11
1932 Los Angeles 74 4 7 5 16 8
1936 Berlin 225 4 7 3 14 10
1948 London 375 3 14 6 23 12
1952 Helsinki 293 1 2 8 11 18
1956 Melbourne 200 6 7 11 24 8
1960 Rome 252 2 6 12 20 12
1964 Tokyo 199 4 12 2 18 10
1968 Mexico City 237 5 5 3 13 10
1972 Munich 310 4 5 9 18 12
1976 Montreal 234 3 5 5 13 13
1980 Moscow 222 5 7 9 21 9
1984 Los Angeles 355 5 11 21 37 11
1988 Seoul 382 5 10 9 24 12
1992 Barcelona 389 5 3 12 20 13
1996 Atlanta 303 1 8 6 15 36
2000 Sydney 310 11 10 7 28 10
2004 Athens 270 9 9 12 30 10
2008 Beijing 313 19 13 15 47 4
2012 London 541 29 17 19 65 3
Total 7322 236 272 272 780 N/A

Medals by Winter Games[edit]

Further information: All-time Olympic Games medal count
Games Competitors[8] Gold Silver Bronze Total Rank
1924 Chamonix 45 1 1 2 4 6
1928 St. Moritz 33 0 0 1 1 8
1932 Lake Placid 4 0 0 0 0 -
1936 Garmisch-Partenkirchen 39 1 1 1 3 7
1948 St. Moritz 62 0 0 2 2 13
1952 Oslo 20 1 0 0 1 8
1956 Cortina d'Ampezzo 45 0 0 0 0 -
1960 Squaw Valley 17 0 0 0 0 -
1964 Innsbruck 49 1 0 0 1 11
1968 Grenoble 46 0 0 0 0 -
1972 Sapporo 40 0 0 0 0 -
1976 Innsbruck 50 1 0 0 1 12
1980 Lake Placid 50 1 0 0 1 11
1984 Sarajevo 54 1 0 0 1 11
1988 Calgary 57 0 0 0 0 -
1992 Albertville 54 0 0 0 0 -
1994 Lillehammer 35 0 0 2 2 21
1998 Nagano 33 0 0 1 1 22
2002 Salt Lake City 51 1 0 1 2 18
2006 Turin 40 0 1 0 1 21
2010 Vancouver 50 1 0 0 1 16
Total 874 9 3 10 22 20

Medals by individual[edit]

Hoy
Wiggins
Ainslie
Chris Hoy (top) has the most gold medals of any British Olympian with six and is tied for most overall medals with Bradley Wiggins (middle), at seven.

Chris Hoy is also the most successful cyclist in Olympic history. Ben Ainslie (bottom) is the most successful sailor in Olympic History.

According to official data of the International Olympic Committee. This is a list of people who have won three or more Olympic gold medals for Great Britain. Medals won in the 1906 Intercalated Games are not included. It includes top-three placings in 1896 and 1900, before medals were awarded for top-three placings.

Athlete Sport Years Games Gender Gold Silver Bronze Total
Hoy, ChrisChris Hoy Track cycling 2000–2012 Summer M 6 1 0 7
Redgrave, SteveSteve Redgrave Rowing 1984–2000 Summer M 5 0 1 6
Wiggins, BradleyBradley Wiggins Track cycling, road cycling 2000–2012 Summer M 4 1 2 7
Ainslie, BenBen Ainslie Sailing 1996–2012 Summer M 4 1 0 5
Pinsent, MatthewMatthew Pinsent Rowing 1992–2004 Summer M 4 0 0 4
Radmilovic, PauloPaulo Radmilovic Water polo, swimming 1908–1920 Summer M 4 0 0 4
Beresford, JackJack Beresford Rowing 1920–1936 Summer M 3 2 0 5
Kenny, JasonJason Kenny Track cycling 2008–2012 Summer M 3 1 0 4
Taylor, HenryHenry Taylor Swimming 1908–1920 Summer M 3 0 2 5
Doherty, ReginaldReginald Doherty Tennis 1900–1908 Summer M 3 0 1 4
Wilkinson, GeorgeGeorge Wilkinson Water polo 1900–1912 Summer M 3 0 0 3
Smith, Charles SydneyCharles Sydney Smith Water polo 1908–1920 Summer M 3 0 0 3
Meade, RichardRichard Meade Equestrian 1968–1972 Summer M 3 0 0 3
  • People in bold are still active competitors

No British female Olympian has won three gold medals. The leading British female Olympians is track cyclist Victoria Pendleton who, from 2008-2012, won two gold medals and one silver medal. The female British Olympians with the most medals (four) are swimmer Rebecca Adlington who, from 2008-2012, won two gold and two bronze medals and rower Katherine Grainger who, from 2000-2012 won one gold and three silver medals. Other females winners of two gold medals include Edith Hannam, Kelly Holmes in addition to a bronze, Charlotte Dujardin, Laura Trott, Sarah Webb, Sarah Ayton and Shirley Robertson. All but the latter three and Pendleton won their two gold medals at the same games.

Robertson, Webb and Ayton, sailors all, won their gold medals in consecutive Games - Robertson being the first to achieve the feat - her second gold occurring in the same event, the 2004 Yngling class, as the other sailors' first.

Mary Rand won three medals, one of each colour, at the same Games in 1964 - to date, the only British woman to have done so.

Most successful in their sport[edit]

Chris Hoy and Ben Ainslie are the most successful Olympic competitors in their respective sports, cycling and sailing, as of 2012. In addition Steve Redgrave and Reginald Doherty are the most successful male athletes in their respective sports, rowing and tennis.

Shirley Robertson, Sarah Ayton and Sarah Webb, with two gold medals, share the honour of most successful female Olympic sailors of all time with a number of other sailors.

As no woman has won more than one gold medal in each of their disciplines, Stephanie Cook and Nicola Adams also share the honour of most successful Olympian in their respective sports, modern pentathlon and boxing. The latter has expressed her intention to continue and to compete in 2016.

Medals by sport[edit]

     Sports not included in the current Olympics program

     Leading in that sport

Sport Gold Silver Bronze Total
Athletics 53 79 62 194
Rowing 28 22 13 63
Cycling 26 26 23 75
Sailing 25 18 11 54
Boxing 17 12 24 53
Tennis 16 14 12 42
Swimming 15 23 30 67
Shooting 13 15 16 44
Equestrian 9 10 13 32
Figure skating 5 3 7 15
Water polo 4 0 0 4
Canoeing 3 5 5 13
Wrestling 3 4 10 17
Field hockey 3 2 6 11
Football 3 0 0 3
Polo 2 3 1 6
Archery 2 2 5 9
Modern pentathlon 2 2 3 7
Rackets 2 2 3 7
Tug of war 2 2 1 5
Curling 2 0 0 2
Water motorsports 2 0 0 2
Fencing 1 8 0 9
Weightlifting 1 3 3 7
Skeleton 1 1 3 5
Bobsleigh 1 1 2 4
Taekwondo 1 0 2 3
Ice hockey 1 0 1 2
Triathlon 1 0 1 2
Cricket 1 0 0 1
Judo 0 8 10 18
Gymnastics 0 2 6 8
Diving 0 2 5 7
Rugby 0 2 0 2
Badminton 0 1 1 2
Golf 0 1 1 2
Jeu de paume 0 1 1 2
Lacrosse 0 1 0 1
Short track speed skating 0 0 1 1
Total 246 275 283 804

Archery[edit]

Further information: Archery at the Summer Olympics
Year Archers Events Gold Silver Bronze Total Rank
1900 Did not compete
1904
1908 41 3 2 2 1 5 1
1920 Did not compete
1972 6 2 0 0 0 0 -
1976 4 2 0 0 0 0 -
1980 4 2 0 0 0 0 -
1984 6 2 0 0 0 0 -
1988 6 4 0 0 1 1 4
1992 6 4 0 0 2 2 6
1996 3 2 0 0 0 0 -
2000 3 2 0 0 0 0 -
2004 4 3 0 0 1 1 6
2008 6[9] 4[9] 0 0 0 0 -
2012 6 4 0 0 0 0 -
Total 2 2 5 9 5

Athletics[edit]

Further information: Athletics at the Summer Olympics
Year Athletes Events Gold Silver Bronze Total Rank
1896 5 5 0 1 1 2 5
1900 9 10 3 3 2 8 2
1904 3 2 1 1 0 2 2
1908 126 25 7 7 3 17 2
1912 2 1 5 8 4
1920 4 4 4 12 3
1924 3 3 5 11 3
1928 2 2 1 5 4
1932 2 4 2 8 5
1936 2 5 0 7 4
1948 0 6 1 7 14
1952 0 1 4 5 5
1956 1 4 2 7 4
1960 1 3 4 8 6
1964 4 7 1 12 3
1968 1 2 1 4 9
1972 1 1 2 4 7
1976 0 0 1 1 20
1980 4 2 4 10 3
1984 3 7 6 16 3
1988 0 6 2 8 13
1992 2 0 4 6 6
1996 0 4 2 6 25
2000 2 2 2 6 6
2004 3 0 1 4 3
2008 67[10] 36[10] 1 2 1 4 9[11]
2012 4 1 1 6 4
Total 53 79 62 194 3

Badminton[edit]

Further information: Badminton at the Summer Olympics

Great Britain has competed in all Badminton events held at the Summer Olympics since badminton made its full debut as an Olympic sport in 1992.

Year Players Events Gold Silver Bronze Total Rank
1972 (demonstration) 6 3 1 0 3 4 2
1976-1988 No Competition
1992 12 4 0 0 0 0 -
1996 22 5 0 0 0 0 -
2000 16 5 0 0 1 1 5
2004 13 5 0 1 0 1 4
2008 6[12] 5 0 0 0 0 -
2012 0 0 0 0 -
Total 65 24 0 1 1 2 6

The figures from 1972 do not count towards the total as badminton was a demonstration sport.

Basketball[edit]

Further information: Basketball at the Summer Olympics
Year Players Events Gold Silver Bronze Total Rank
1936 Did not compete
1948 13 1 0 0 0 0 -
1952-2008 Did not compete
2012 24 2 0 0 0 0 -

Boxing[edit]

Further information: Boxing at the Summer Olympics

Great Britain made its Olympic boxing debut in 1908.

Year Boxers Events Gold Silver Bronze Total Rank
1896 No Competition
1904 Did not compete
1908 32 5 5 4 5 14 1
1912 No Competition
1920 2 1 3 6 2
1924 2 2 0 4 2
1928 0 0 0 0 -
1932 0 0 0 0 -
1936 0 0 0 0 -
1948 0 2 0 2 6
1952 0 0 0 0 -
1956 2 1 2 5 1
1960 0 0 3 3 9
1964 0 0 0 0 -
1968 1 0 0 1 5
1972 0 0 3 3 15
1976 0 0 1 1 10
1980 0 0 1 1 11
1984 0 0 1 1 14
1988 0 0 1 1 15
1992 0 0 1 1 15
1996 0 0 0 0 -
2000 1 0 0 1 7
2004 1 1 0 1 0 1 8
2008 7[13] 7 1 0 2 3 6[13]
2012 10 10 3 1 1 5 1
Total 17 12 24 53 3

Canoeing[edit]

Further information: Canoeing and kayaking at the Summer Olympics
Year Canoeists Events Gold Silver Bronze Total Rank
1936 0 0 0 0 -
1948 0 0 0 0 -
1952 0 0 0 0 -
1956 0 0 0 0 -
1960 0 0 0 0 -
1964 0 0 0 0 -
1968 0 0 0 0 -
1972 0 0 0 0 -
1976 0 0 0 0 -
1980 0 0 0 0 -
1984 0 0 0 0 -
1988 0 0 0 0 -
1992 0 1 0 1 -
1996 0 0 0 0 -
2000 0 1 1 2 -
2004 0 1 2 3 -
2008 1 1 1 3 -
2012 15 13 2 1 1 4 -
Total 3 5 5 13 -

Cricket[edit]

Further information: Cricket at the Olympics

Great Britain and France were the only two nations to compete in the only Olympic cricket match, in 1900. The British team won, making them the only nation to win an Olympic cricket contest and the only Olympic gold medalists in cricket.

Year Cricketers Events Gold Silver Bronze Total Rank
1900 12 1 1 0 0 1 1

Cycling[edit]

Further information: Cycling at the Summer Olympics
Year Cyclists Events Gold Silver Bronze Total Rank
1896 2 4 0 1 1 2 4
1900 Did not compete
1904
1908 38 7 5 3 1 9 1
1912 0 2 0 2 3
1920 1 3 1 5 1
1924 0 1 1 2 5
1928 0 3 1 4 5
1932 0 1 1 2 5
1936 0 0 1 1 6
1948 0 3 2 5 4
1952 0 0 1 1 6
1956 0 1 2 3 5
1960 0 0 0 0 -
1964 0 0 0 0 -
1968 0 0 0 0 -
1972 0 0 1 1 11
1976 0 0 1 1 12
1980 0 0 0 0 -
1984 0 0 0 0 -
1988 0 0 0 0 -
1992 1 0 0 1 4
1996 0 0 2 2 12
2000 1 1 2 4 6
2004 2 1 1 4 3
2008 25[14] 17[14] 8 4 2 14 1[15]
2012 8[16] 2[16] 2[16] 12[16] 1[16]
Total 26 26 23 75 3rd

Diving[edit]

Further information: Diving at the Summer Olympics

Great Britain made its Olympic diving debut in 1908.

Year Divers Events Gold Silver Bronze Total Rank
1904 Did not compete
1908 16 2 0 0 0 0 —
1912 0 0 1 1 3
1920 0 1 0 1 4
1924 0 0 1 1 4
1928 0 0 0 0 -
1932 Did not compete
1936 0 0 0 0 -
1948 0 0 0 0 -
1952 0 0 0 0 -
1956 0 0 0 0 -
1960 0 0 2 2 3
1964 6 0 0 0 0 -
1968 5 0 0 0 0 -
1972 8 0 0 0 0 -
1976 4 0 0 0 0 -
1980 6 0 0 0 0 -
1984 6 0 0 0 0 -
1988 5 0 0 0 0 -
1992 4 0 0 0 0 -
1996 5 0 0 0 0 -
2000 8 0 0 0 0 -
2004 7 0 1 0 1 6
2008 10[17] 8[17] 0 0 0 0 -
2012 0 0 1 1
Total 0 2 5 7 16

Equestrian[edit]

Further information: Equestrian at the Summer Olympics

Great Britain first competed in the 1912 competition having not competed in the first event held in 1900.

Year Riders Events Gold Silver Bronze Total Rank
1912 0 0 0 0 -
1920 0 0 0 0 -
1924 0 0 0 0 -
1928 0 0 0 0 -
1932 0 0 0 0 -
1936 0 0 1 1 7
1948 0 0 1 1 7
1952 1 0 0 1 3
1956 1 0 2 3 3
1960 0 0 1 1 7
1964 0 0 1 1 8
1968 1 2 1 4 1
1972 2 1 0 3 2
1976 0 0 0 0 -
1980 Did not compete
1984 0 2 1 3 4
1988 0 2 1 3 4
1992 0 0 0 0 -
1996 0 0 0 0 -
2000 0 1 0 1 5
2004 1 1 1 3 3
2008 12[18] 6[18] 0 0 2 2 7[19]
2012 3 1 1 5 1
Total 9 10 13 32 8

Fencing[edit]

Further information: Fencing at the Summer Olympics

Great Britain won its first fencing medal, a silver, in 1908 at the London Games.

Year Fencers Events Gold Silver Bronze Total Rank
1896 1 1 0 0 0 0 —
1900 1 1 0 0 0 0 —
1904 Did not compete
1908 23 4 0 1 0 1 3
1912 0 1 0 1 5
1920 0 0 0 0 -
1924 0 1 0 1 6
1928 0 1 0 1 5
1932 0 1 0 1 6
1936 0 0 0 0 -
1948 0 0 0 0 -
1952 0 0 0 0 -
1956 1 0 0 1 4
1960 0 2 0 2 5
1964 0 1 0 1 7
1968 0 0 0 0 -
1972 0 0 0 0 -
1976 0 0 0 0 -
1980 0 0 0 0 -
1984 0 0 0 0 -
1988 0 0 0 0 -
1992 0 0 0 0 -
1996 0 0 0 0 -
2000 0 0 0 0 -
2004 0 0 0 0 -
2008 3 3 0 0 0 0 -
2012 0 0 0 0 -
Total 1 8 0 9 16

Figure skating[edit]

Further information: Figure Skating at the Olympic Games

Great Britain hosted the first Olympic figure skating contests in 1908.

Year Skaters Events Gold Silver Bronze Total Rank
1908 11 4 1 2 3 6 1

Football[edit]

Further information: Football at the Summer Olympics

Great Britain and Ireland – now represented separately by Team Ireland and Team Great Britain – was one of three nations to play in the inaugural football tournament, winning their only match to take the first Olympic gold medal in football. They competed in the nine Olympics in the table below.

Year Footballers Events Gold Silver Bronze Total Rank
1896 No competition
1900 11 1 1 0 0 1 1
1904 Did not compete
1908 11 1 1 0 0 1 1
1912 1 0 0 1 1
1920 0 0 0 0 -
1924 Did not compete
1928
1932 No Competition
1936 0 0 0 0 -
1948 0 0 0 0 -
1952 0 0 0 0 -
1956 0 0 0 0 -
1960 0 0 0 0 -
1964–2008 Did not compete
2012 2 0 0 0 0 -
Total 3 0 0 3 2

In 1974 the FA abolished the distinction between "amateur" and "professional" footballers in England. This ended the practice of "shamateurism", where players claimed to be amateur but still got irregular payments from their clubs. Also, Great Britain is not a member of FIFA and its athletes participate in international football competitions as members of the national teams of the home nations (England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland), none of which have National Olympic Committees. As a result, Great Britain usually does not participate in Olympic qualifying tournaments.

Golf[edit]

Further information: Golf at the Summer Olympics

Great Britain was one of four nations to play golf at the first Olympic golf events in 1900. They did not compete in the only other Olympic golf competition held in 1904.

Year Golfers Events Gold Silver Bronze Total Rank
1900 4 1 0 1 1 2 2
1904 Did not compete
Total 4 1 0 1 1 2 3

Gymnastics[edit]

Further information: Gymnastics at the Summer Olympics

Great Britain's first gymnastics medal came in 1908 with a silver in the men's individual all-around. Until 2008, Great Britain's last medal for gymnastics was a Bronze in the Women's all-round team event in 1928. At the 2012 Summer Games in London, Great Britain equaled it's tally for all previous games combined, winning 4 medals to being their all-time total to eight.

Year Gymnasts Events Gold Silver Bronze Total Rank
1896 1 1 0 0 0 0 -
1900 5 1 0 0 0 0 -
1904 Did not compete
1908 65 2 0 1 0 1 3
1912 23 0 0 1 1 8
1920 27 0 0 0 0 -
1924 27 0 0 0 0 -
1928 0 0 1 1 6
2008 9 0 0 1 1 13
2012 10 0 1 3 4 12
Total 0 2 6 8 33

Handball[edit]

Further information: Handball at the Summer Olympics

Great Britain's men's and women's handball teams were allowed to take up host places at the 2012 Olympics. This is the only time that Great Britain has competed in handball at the Olympics.

Year Players Events Gold Silver Bronze Total Rank
2012 30 2 0 0 0 0 -

Hockey[edit]

Further information: Hockey at the Summer Olympics

Great Britain hosted the first Olympic field hockey tournament in 1908.

Year Players Events Gold Silver Bronze Total Rank
1908 45 1 1 1 2 4 1
1912 No hockey tournament
1920 1 1 0 0 1 1
1924 No hockey tournament
1928 Did not compete
1932 0 0 0 0 -
1936 Did not compete
1948 1 0 1 0 1 2
1952 1 0 0 1 1 2
1956 0 0 0 0 -
1960 0 0 0 0 -
1964 1 0 0 0 0 -
1968 0 0 0 0 -
1972 1 0 0 0 0 -
1976 Did not compete
1980
1984 0 0 1 1 4
1988 2 1 0 0 1 2
1992 2 0 0 1 1 4
1996 2 0 0 0 0 -
2000 2 0 0 0 0 -
2004 1 0 0 0 0 -
2008 2 0 0 0 0 -
2012 2 0 0 1 1 5
Total 3 2 6 11 -

Jeu de paume[edit]

Great Britain hosted the only Olympic jeu de paume tournament in 1908.

Year Players Events Gold Silver Bronze Total Rank
1908 9 1 0 1 1 2 2

Judo[edit]

Further information: Judo at the Summer Olympics

Great Britain has competed in all judo events held at the Summer Olympics since judo made its full debut as an Olympic sport in 1964.

Year Players Events Gold Silver Bronze Total Rank
1964 4 0 0 0 0 -
1968 No Judo tournament
1972 6 0 1 2 3 4
1976 6 0 1 1 2 5
1980 8 0 1 1 2 8
1984 8 0 1 2 3 5
1988 7 0 0 1 1 11
1992 14 0 2 2 4 11
1996 14 0 0 0 0 -
2000 14 0 1 0 1 12
2004 0 0 0 0 0 -
2008 0 0 0 0 0 -
2012 14 0 1 1 2 13
Total ' ' 0 8 10 18 -

Lacrosse[edit]

Further information: Lacrosse at the Summer Olympics

Great Britain's Olympic lacrosse debut was in 1908.

Year Players Events Gold Silver Bronze Total Rank
1908 12 1 0 1 0 1 2

Modern Pentathlon[edit]

Further information: Modern Pentathlon at the Summer Olympics

Great Britain's Olympic modern pentathlon debut was in 1912 when the it was first included in the Olympics. Since the women's event was added in 2000, Great Britain has medalled in that event at every Games. The most successful Games was in 2000, when Great Britain won the gold and bronze medals.

Year Pentathletes Events Gold Silver Bronze Total Rank
1912 3 1 0 0 0 0 -
1920 4 1 0 0 0 0 -
1924 0 0 0 0 -
1928 0 0 0 0 -
1932 3 1 0 0 0 0 -
1936 0 0 0 0 -
1948 0 0 0 0 -
1952 0 0 0 0 -
1956 0 0 0 0 -
1960 0 0 0 0 -
1964 0 0 0 0 -
1968 3 2 0 0 0 0 -
1972 3 2 0 0 0 0 -
1976 3 2 1 0 0 1 1
1980 3 2 0 0 0 0 -
1984 3 2 0 0 0 0 -
1988 3 2 0 0 1 1 3
1992 3 2 0 0 0 0 -
1996 1 1 0 0 0 0 -
2000 2 1 1 0 1 2 1
2004 1 1 0 0 1 1 5
2008 4 2 0 1 0 1 4
2012 4 2 0 1 0 1 -
Total 2 2 3 7 7

Polo[edit]

Further information: Polo at the Summer Olympics

Great Britain was one of four nations to compete in the debut of Olympic polo. Three of the five teams had British players, and those three teams took both the top two places and split the third place with the Mexican team.

Year Players Events Gold Silver Bronze Total Rank
1900 7 1 1 1 1 3 1
1904 No competition
1908 12 1 1 2 0 3 1
1912 No competition
1920 1 0 0 1 1
1924 0 0 1 1 3
1928-1932 No competition
1936 0 1 0 1 2
1948–Present No competition
Total 3 4 2 9 1

Rackets[edit]

Great Britain hosted the only Olympic rackets tournament, in 1908.

Year Players Events Gold Silver Bronze Total Rank
1908 7 2 2 2 3 7 1

Rowing[edit]

Further information: Rowing at the Summer Olympics

Britain took a bronze medal in the first Olympic rowing competition, in 1900.

Year Rowers Events Gold Silver Bronze Total Rank
1900 1 1 0 0 1 1 6
1904 Did not compete
1908 30 4 4 3 1 8 1
1912 24 3 2 2 0 4 1
1920 10 2 0 2 0 2 4
1924 19 4 2 0 0 2 3
1928 18 5 1 2 1 4 2
1932 16 4 2 0 0 2 2
1936 18 5 1 1 0 2 2
1948 26 7 2 1 0 3 1
1952 23 6 0 0 0 0 -
1956 12 3 0 0 0 0 -
1960 26 7 0 0 0 0 -
1964 8 3 0 1 0 1 7
1968 11 2 0 0 0 0 -
1972 17 6 0 0 0 0 -
1976 31 8 0 2 0 2 7
1980 43 11 0 1 2 3 6
1984 42 10 1 0 0 1 5
1988 30 8 1 0 1 2 5
1992 46 11 2 0 0 2 4
1996 37 9 1 0 1 2 7
2000 37 10 2 1 0 3 3
2004 37 11 1 2 1 4 3
2008 45 12 2 2 2 6 1
2012 47 13 4 2 3 9 1
Total 28 22 13 63 3

Rugby[edit]

Further information: Rugby at the Summer Olympics

Britain took a silver medal in the first Olympic rugby competition, in 1900.

Year Players Events Gold Silver Bronze Total Rank
1896 No competition
1900 15 1 0 1 0 1 2
1904 No competition
1908 15 1 0 1 0 1 2
1912 No competition
1920-1924 Did not compete
1928-2012 No competition
Total 30 1 0 2 0 2 4

Sailing[edit]

Further information: Sailing at the Summer Olympics

Britain took three gold medals in the first Olympic sailing events, in 1900.

Year Sailors Events Gold Silver Bronze Total Rank
1896 No competition
1900 8 7 3 0 1 4 2
1904 No competition
1908 40 4 4 1 1 6 1
1912 Did not compete
1920 2 0 0 2 4
1924 0 1 0 1 3
1928 0 0 0 0 -
1932 0 1 0 1 5
1936 1 0 1 2 2
1948 1 0 0 1 3
1952 5 0 1 0 1 6
1956 5 0 1 2 3 5
1960 5 0 0 0 0 -
1964 5 0 1 0 1 8
1968 5 1 0 1 2 2
1972 6 1 1 0 2 2
1976 6 1 1 0 2 2
1980 Did not compete
1984 7 0 0 1 1 8
1988 8 1 0 0 1 5
1992 10 0 0 1 1 9
1996 10 0 2 0 2 9
2000 11 3 2 0 5 1
2004 11 2 1 2 5 1
2008 11 4 1 1 6 1
2012 10 1 4 0 5 3
Total 25 18 11 54 1

Shooting[edit]

Further information: Shooting at the Summer Olympics

Great Britain's first shooting medals came when the nation hosted the 1908 Games, at which the British shooters dominated the competitions. There were 215 shooters from 14 nations in the shooting events, including 67 shooters from Great Britain.

Year Shooters Events Gold Silver Bronze Total Rank
1896 2 4 0 0 0 0 -
1900 1 1 0 0 0 0 -
1904 Sport not held
1908 67 15 6 7 8 21 1
1912 1 4 4 9 4
1920 0 0 0 0 -
1924 1 2 0 3 3
1928 Sport not held
1932 0 0 0 0 -
1936 0 0 0 0 -
1948 0 0 0 0 -
1952 0 0 0 0 -
1956 0 0 0 0 -
1960 0 0 0 0 -
1964 0 0 0 0 -
1968 1 0 0 1 4
1972 0 0 1 1 16
1976 0 0 0 0 -
1980 0 0 0 0 -
1984 1 0 3 4 5
1988 1 1 0 2 4
1992 0 0 0 0 -
1996 0 0 0 0 -
2000 1 1 0 2 6
2004 0 0 0 0 -
2008 5 4 0 0 0 0 -
2012 1 0 0 1 -
Total 13 15 16 44 6

Swimming[edit]

Further information: Swimming at the Summer Olympics

Great Britain was the third most successful nation in swimming in 2008, with 2 golds, 2 silvers and 2 bronzes, with Rebecca Adlington winning two of these, making her the most successful female British swimmer in 100 years.[20]

Year Swimmers Events Gold Silver Bronze Total Rank
1900 7 5 2 0 1 3 1
1904 Did not compete
1908 28 6 4 2 1 7 1
1912 1 2 3 6 5
1920 0 1 1 2 3
1924 1 2 1 4 2
1928 0 2 2 4 7
1932 0 0 2 2 6
1936 0 0 0 0 -
1948 0 0 1 1 7
1952 0 0 1 1 9
1956 1 0 1 2 4
1960 1 1 1 3 3
1964 0 1 0 1 6
1968 0 1 0 1 9
1972 0 1 0 1 10
1976 1 1 1 3 5
1980 1 3 1 5 4
1984 0 1 4 5 6
1988 1 1 1 3 5
1992 0 0 1 1 16
1996 0 1 1 2 12
2000 0 0 0 0 -
2004 0 0 2 2 18
2008 37 34 2 2 2 6 3
2012 0 1 2 3 14
Total 15 23 30 68 7

Taekwondo[edit]

Further information: Taekwondo at the Summer Olympics

Great Britain have competed in all four taekwondo competitions that have taken place since 2000. Their best result is a gold and bronze in 2012.

Year Athletes Events Gold Silver Bronze Total Rank
2000 2 2 0 0 0 0 -
2004 4 4 0 0 0 0 -
2008 3 3 0 0 1 1 -
2012 4 4 1 0 1 2 -
Total 13 13 1 0 2 3 -

Tennis[edit]

Further information: Tennis at the Summer Olympics

John Pius Boland dominated the 1896 tennis tournaments. Tennis in 1896 was a sport which allowed mixed teams, and both Boland and George S. Robertson joined partners from other nations to win their medals. Britain again dominated in 1900, taking all four gold medals and adding 7 other medals (3 as part of mixed teams).

Year Players Events Gold Silver Bronze Total Rank
1896 2 1 1 0 0 1 2
1900 6 4 4 1 3 8 1
1904 Did not compete
1908 22 6 6 5 4 15 1
1912 2 2 2 6 2
1920 2 3 1 6 1
1924 0 1 2 3 3
1924-1964 No competition held
1968 (demonstration) Did not compete
1972-1980 No competition held
1984 (demonstration) 0 0 0 0 -
1988 0 0 0 0 -
1992 0 0 0 0 -
1996 0 1 0 1 5
2000 0 0 0 0 -
2004 0 0 0 0 -
2008 2 2 0 0 0 0 -
2012 8 5 1 1 0 2 2
Total 16 14 12 42 2

Triathlon[edit]

Further information: Triathlon at the Summer Olympics

Great Britain have competed in all four triathlon competitions that have taken place since 2000. Their best finish is a 1st and 3rd place in the men's triathlon, and 5th place in the women's triathlon, in 2012.

Year Athletes Events Gold Silver Bronze Total Rank
2000 6 2 0 0 0 0 -
2004 6 2 0 0 0 0 -
2008 5 2 0 0 0 0 -
2012 6 2 1 0 1 2 1
Total 23 8 1 0 1 2 -

Tug of war[edit]

Further information: Tug of war at the Summer Olympics

Great Britain's Olympic tug of war debut came when the nation hosted the Games in 1908. Great Britain were then one of only 2 teams to compete in 1912 and they also won the last Tug of War competition held in the Olympics in 1920.

Year Contestants Events Gold Silver Bronze Total Rank
1908 24 1 1 1 1 3 1
1912 8 1 0 1 0 1 2
1920 11 1 1 0 0 1 1
1924-present No Competition
Total 43 3 2 2 1 5 1

Volleyball[edit]

Further information: Volleyball at the Summer Olympics
Further information: Beach volleyball at the Summer Olympics

Prior to participating, as host nation, in the 2012 volleyball tournaments, Great Britain had never competed in Olympic volleyball with the exception of the women's team participating in the inaugural Beach volleyball tournament in 1996.

Year Players Events Gold Silver Bronze Total Rank
1964-1992 Did not compete
1996 2 1 0 0 0 0 -
2000-2008 Did not compete
2012 28 4 0 0 0 0 -
Total - - 0 0 0 0 -

Water motorsports[edit]

Great Britain hosted the only Olympic water motorsports contests, in 1908.

Year Athletes Events Gold Silver Bronze Total Rank
1908 13 3 2 0 0 2 1

Water polo[edit]

Further information: Water polo at the Summer Olympics
Year Players Events Gold Silver Bronze Total Rank
1900 8 1 1 0 0 1 1
1904 Did not compete
1908 7 1 1 0 0 1 1
1912 7 1 1 0 0 1 1
1920 7 1 1 0 0 1 1
1924 1 0 0 0 0 -
1928 1 0 0 0 0 -
1932 Did not compete
1936 1 0 0 0 0 -
1948 1 0 0 0 0 -
1952 1 0 0 0 0 -
1956 1 0 0 0 0 -
1960-2008 Did not compete
2012 26 2 0 0 0 0 -
Total - - 4 0 0 4 3

Weightlifting[edit]

Further information: Weightlifting at the Summer Olympics
Year Weightlifters Events Gold Silver Bronze Total Rank
1896 1 2 1 1 0 2 1
1900 Sport not held
1904 Did not compete
1908 Sport not held
1912 Sport not held
1920-1936 0 0 0 0 -
1948 0 1 1 2 3
1952 0 0 0 0 -
1956 0 0 0 0 -
1960 0 0 1 1 6
1964 0 1 0 1 7
1968 0 0 0 0 -
1972 0 0 0 0 -
1976 0 0 0 0 -
1980 0 0 0 0 -
1984 0 0 1 1 10
1988 0 0 0 0 -
1992 0 0 0 0 -
1996 0 0 0 0 -
2000 0 0 0 0 -
2004 0 0 0 0 -
2008 0 0 0 0 -
2012 5 5 0 0 0 0 -
Total 1 3 3 7 29

Wrestling[edit]

Further information: Wrestling at the Summer Olympics
Year Wrestlers Events Gold Silver Bronze Total Rank
1896 1 1 0 0 0 0 -
1900 Sport not held
1904 Did not compete
1908 53 9 3 4 4 11 1
2012 1 1 0 0 0 0 -

See also[edit]

References[edit]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ "Great Britain". International Olympic Committee. Retrieved 10 May 2011. 
  2. ^ "FAQ". BOA. Retrieved 29 July 2012. 
  3. ^ "Sir Chris Hoy wins sixth Olympic gold medal with keirin win". BBC. Retrieved 7 August 2012. 
  4. ^ "No place for 'NI', says Olympic Team GB", Belfast Telegraph, 10 March 2011
  5. ^ "Minister urges BOA to change 'erroneous Team GB name'". BBC News. 10 March 2011. Retrieved 27 April 2011. 
  6. ^ "Full text of the constitution" (PDF). Department of the Taoiseach. Retrieved 2010-02-17. 
  7. ^ "Great Britain". olympic.org. Retrieved 17 May 2012. 
  8. ^ "Team GB Statistics". BOA. Retrieved 2008-08-24. 
  9. ^ a b "Team GB for Beijing". BBC Sport. 2008-07-21. Retrieved 2008-08-24. 
  10. ^ a b "Team GB for Beijing - Athletics". BBC Sport. 2008-07-21. Retrieved 2008-08-24. 
  11. ^ "Athletics". BBC Sport. 2008-09-26. Retrieved 2008-08-24. 
  12. ^ "Team GB for Beijing - Badminton". BBC Sport. 2008-07-21. Retrieved 2008-08-24. 
  13. ^ a b "Team GB for Beijing - Boxing". BBC Sport. 2008-07-21. Retrieved 2008-08-24. 
  14. ^ a b "Team GB for Beijing - Cycling". BBC Sport. 2008-07-21. Retrieved 2008-08-24. 
  15. ^ "Cycling". BBC Sport. 2008-09-29. Retrieved 2008-08-24. 
  16. ^ a b c d e "Medals in Cycling - Track". Retrieved 8 August 2012. 
  17. ^ a b "Team GB for Beijing - Swimming". BBC Sport. 2008-07-21. Retrieved 2008-08-24. 
  18. ^ a b "Team GB for Beijing - Equestrian". BBC Sport. 2008-07-21. Retrieved 2008-08-24. 
  19. ^ "Equestrian". BBC Sport. 2008-09-12. Retrieved 2008-08-24. 
  20. ^ "Rebecca Adlington". British Swimming. Retrieved 8 August 2012. 

Bibliography[edit]

Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Great_Britain_at_the_Olympics&oldid=552437158"