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Great Britain at the Olympics

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Great Britain at the
Olympics
Flag of the United Kingdom
IOC codeGBR
NOCBritish Olympic Association
Medals
Gold
273
Silver
299
Bronze
302
Total
874
Summer appearances
Winter appearances
Other related appearances
1906 Intercalated Games

Great Britain or Team GB is the team that sends athletes from the United Kingdom (UK), all but three of its overseas territories, and the three Crown dependencies, to the Olympic Games. It has sent athletes to every Games since the start of the Olympics' modern era in 1896, including the 1980 Summer Olympics and 1984 Summer Olympics, which were boycotted by a number of other nations on each occasion. From 1896 to 2016 inclusive, Great Britain has won 847 medals at the Summer Olympic Games, and another 26 at the Winter Olympic Games. It is the only national team to have won at least one Gold Medal at every Summer Games, and lies third globally in the winning of both Gold Medals and total medals, surpassed only by the United States and the former Soviet Union.

It is organised by the British Olympic Association (BOA) as the National Olympic Committee for the UK. While the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and BOA both refer to the team as 'Great Britain' and the team uses the brand name Team GB, the BOA explains that it is a contraction of the full title, the Great Britain and Northern Ireland Olympic Team.[1] 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 being the others) to have competed at every Summer and Winter Olympic Games.

The most successful British Olympians by gold medals won are Sir Chris Hoy and Jason Kenny, who have won six gold (and one silver) medals each in track cycling; two British Olympians come next with five gold medals - fellow cyclist Sir Bradley Wiggins, and Sir Steve Redgrave, who won five gold medals in five consecutive Games in rowing, a record for an endurance event. Sailor Sir Ben Ainslie jointly holds the Great Britain record for most individual Olympic gold medals with Chris Hoy and Mo Farah with four, and the most gold medals in a single event with three gold medals (in the Men's Finn class sailing event 2004-2012) - again shared with Jason Kenny (men's team sprint 2008-2016) and Steve Redgrave (men's coxless pair 1988-96). Sir Chris Hoy holds the record for gold medals in different events, having reached the top step in four different disciplines - men's kilo, men's team sprint, men's match sprint and men's kierin.

Cyclist Sir Bradley Wiggins has the most overall medals by a British Olympian (and thus often referred to in the media as the "most decorated British Olympian") with eight.[2] Sir Steve Redgrave is the only British Olympian to win a Gold Medal in five consecutive Olympic Games, winning his first in 1984 Los Angeles and last in 2000 Sydney. With five golds and a bronze, Redgrave is the most successful Olympic male rower of all time.

The most successful female Olympian for GB is cyclist Laura Trott, who has four gold medals, while the most decorated female Olympians are Katherine Grainger and Kathleen McKane Godfree, with five medals each - one gold and four silver for Grainger, a gold, two silver and two bronze for McKane Godfree. Alongside five time gold medalist Redgrave, Grainger, Ainslie, Wiggins and Jack Beresford are the only British Olympians to win medals of any colour in five successive Games. In 1908, the country finished in the Olympic table in first place for the first and only time in its history; its most successful performance both post-War and away from a home Games was in 2016, finishing second.

The most successful Winter Olympians from Great Britain are Jeannette Altwegg, Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean, each with one gold and one bronze medal, the latter two as a pair in ice dance.

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

As a non-alpine nation, Great Britain has found the bulk of its success in the Summer Olympics. Despite this, Great Britain is the most successful nation in women's skeleton, having won a medal four times, one for each time the event has been held, including a gold medal for Amy Williams in 2010, and the same for Lizzy Yarnold in 2014. Great Britain enjoyed a period of significant success between 1976 and 1984 in figure skating, winning golds in three successive games on the rink, while a mainly Scottish team has made Great Britain a repeated contender in the curling events. Prior to the 2014 Games all Britain's winter olympic medals had been won in sports performed on ice. Snowboarder Jenny Jones became the first British athlete to win a medal on snow in the 90 years of the winter games when she won a bronze medal in the women's slopestyle event.[3][4][5]

Great Britain has hosted the Summer Games on three occasions - 1908, 1948 and 2012, all in London - second only to the United States. At the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio, Great Britain became the first country to win more medals at a Summer Olympics immediately after hosting a Summer Olympics; they won 67 medals overall, coming in second place in the medal table ahead of China, two more than in London in 2012. This success came 20 years after finishing 36th in the medal table, after winning just one gold and fourteen other medals at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, which led to significant changes into the management and funding of British sports and facilities.[6]

Eligibility

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 from a unionist background, however, have objected to the name "Team GB", and have called for it to be renamed as Team UK to make it clearer that Northern Ireland is included on the team.[7][8]

Under the IOC charter, the Olympic Council of Ireland is responsible for the entire island of Ireland.[9] However, athletes from Northern Ireland can elect to represent either the UK or Ireland at the Olympics, as people from Northern Ireland. A number of Northern Ireland born athletes, particularly in boxing, have won medals for Ireland at the Games.[10]

Hosted Games

London is the only city in the UK that has hosted the games, and the only city in the world to have hosted them three times.

Games Host city Dates Nations Participants Events
1908 Summer Olympics London 27 April – 31 October 22 2,008 110
1948 Summer Olympics London 29 July – 14 August 59 4,104 136
2012 Summer Olympics London 27 July – 12 August 204 10,820 302

Medal tables

See also: All-time Olympic Games medal count
*Red border colour indicates tournament was held on home soil.

Medals by individual

Kenny
Hoy
Wiggins
Ainslie
Jason Kenny (top) shares the most gold medals of any British Olympian on six with Chris Hoy (2nd from top).

Bradley Wiggins (2nd from bottom) has the most Olympic medals of any British athlete with eight.

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 1st place, gold medalist(s) 2nd place, silver medalist(s) 3rd place, bronze medalist(s) Total
Chris Hoy  Track cycling 2000–2012 Summer M 6 1 0 7
Jason Kenny  Track cycling 2008–2016 Summer M 6 1 0 7
Bradley Wiggins  Track cycling
 Road cycling		 2000–2016 Summer M 5 1 2 8
Steve Redgrave  Rowing 1984–2000 Summer M 5 0 1 6
Ben Ainslie  Sailing 1996–2012 Summer M 4 1 0 5
Mo Farah  Athletics 2012–2016 Summer M 4 0 0 4
Matthew Pinsent  Rowing 1992–2004 Summer M 4 0 0 4
Paulo Radmilovic  Water polo
 Swimming		 1908–1920 Summer M 4 0 0 4
Laura Trott  Track cycling 2012–2016 Summer F 4 0 0 4
Jack Beresford  Rowing 1920–1936 Summer M 3 2 0 5
Charlotte Dujardin  Equestrian 2012–2016 Summer F 3 1 0 4
Henry Taylor  Swimming 1908–1920 Summer M 3 0 2 5
Ed Clancy  Track cycling 2008–2016 Summer M 3 0 1 4
Reginald Doherty  Tennis 1900–1908 Summer M 3 0 1 4
Richard Meade  Equestrian 1968–1972 Summer M 3 0 0 3
Pete Reed  Rowing 2008–2016 Summer M 3 0 0 3
Charles Sydney Smith  Water polo 1908–1920 Summer M 3 0 0 3
Andrew Triggs Hodge  Rowing 2008–2016 Summer M 3 0 0 3
George Wilkinson  Water polo 1900–1912 Summer M 3 0 0 3
  • People in bold are still active competitors

In addition to the above, the female British Olympian with the most medals (five) is rower Katherine Grainger who, from 2000-2016 won one gold and four silver medals. Kathleen McKane Godfree also won five medals, but were one gold, two silvers, and two bronzes.

Most successful in their sport

Chris Hoy, Jason Kenny (both cycling), Ben Ainslie (sailing) and Alastair Brownlee (Triathlon) are the most successful Olympic competitors in their sports, as of 2016.

Steve Redgrave and Reginald Doherty are the most successful male athletes in their respective sports, rowing and tennis, while Nicola Adams is the most successful female Olympian in boxing. In addition, Shirley Robertson, Sarah Ayton and Sarah Webb with two gold medals in sailing, Amy Williams and Lizzy Yarnold in skeleton and Stephanie Cook in modern pentathlon) share the position as most successful woman in their respective sports.

Medals by sport

Archery

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[11] 4[11] 0 0 0 0 -
2012 6 4 0 0 0 0 -
2016 2 2 0 0 0 0 -
Total 2 2 5 9 5

Athletics

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[12] 36[12] 1 2 1 4 9[13]
2012 4 1 1 6 4
2016 2 1 4 7 6
Total 55 80 66 201 3

Badminton

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[14] 5 0 0 0 0 -
2012 0 0 0 0 -
2016 5[15] 8 0 0 1 1 -
Total 74 32 0 1 2 3 7

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

Basketball

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 -
2016 Did not compete

Boxing

Further information: Boxing at the Summer Olympics

Great Britain made its Olympic boxing debut in 1908.

Year Boxers Events Gold Silver Bronze Total Rank
1896-1900 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[16] 7 1 0 2 3 6[16]
2012 10 10 3 1 1 5 1
2016 1 1 1 3 6
Total 18 13 25 56 3

Canoeing

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 3
2016 2 2 0 4 3
Total 5 7 5 17 -

Cricket

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

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[17] 17[17] 8 4 2 14 1[18]
2012 8[19] 2[19] 2[19] 12[19] 1[19]
2016 6 4 2 12 1
Total 32 30 25 87 3

Diving

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[20] 8[20] 0 0 0 0 -
2012 0 0 1 1 7
2016 1 1 1 3 2
Total 1 3 6 10 13

Equestrian

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[21] 6[21] 0 0 2 2 7[22]
2012 3 1 1 5 1
2016 2 1 0 3 2
Total 11 11 13 35 5

Fencing

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 -
2016 0 0 0 0 -
Total 1 8 0 9 18

Figure skating

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

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 -
2016 Did not compete
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

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 Olympic golf competition held in 1904. When the sport returned in the 2016 Rio Olympics, after a 112-year absence, Justin Rose won gold.

Year Golfers Events Gold Silver Bronze Total Rank
1900 4 2 0 1 1 2 2
1904 Did not compete
1908–2012 No competition
2016 4 2 1 0 0 1 1
Total 8 4 1 1 1 3 2

Gymnastics

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 its tally for all previous games combined, winning 4 medals to bring 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
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 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 0 0 0 -
1996 0 0 0 0 -
2000 0 0 0 0 -
2004 0 0 0 0 -
2008 9 0 0 1 1 17
2012 10 0 1 3 4 12
2016 13 2 2 3 7 3
Total 2 4 9 15 22

Handball

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

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
2016 2 1 0 0 1 1
Total 4 2 6 12 5

Jeu de paume

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

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. Although Great Britain has won 18 judo medals, none have been gold.

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 14 0 0 0 0 -
2008 14 0 0 0 0 -
2012 14 0 1 1 2 13
2016 14 0 0 1 1 21
Total ' ' 0 8 11 19 34

Lacrosse

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

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 3
2016 4 2 0 0 0 0 -
Total 2 2 3 7 =6

Polo

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 As part of the  Mixed team
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 2 3 1 6 1

Rackets

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

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
2016 43 12 3 2 0 5 1
Total 31 24 13 68 3

Rugby

Further information: Rugby union 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
2016 - 2 0 1 0 1 3
Total 0 3 0 3 6

Sailing

Further information: Sailing at the Summer Olympics

Britain took four gold medals in the first Olympic sailing events in 1900. In addition, British sailors were part of two mixed teams that won gold.

Year Sailors Events Gold Silver Bronze Total Rank
1896 No competition
1900 8 7 3 0 1 4 2
1904 No competition
1908 4 4 1 1 6 1
1912 Did not compete
1920 16 2 0 0 2 4
1924 3 0 1 0 1 3
1928 3 0 0 0 0 -
1932 4 0 1 0 1 5
1936 4 1 0 1 2 2
1948 5 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
2016 10 2 1 0 3 1
Total 27 19 11 57 1

Shooting

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 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 5
2016 0 0 2 2 17
Total 13 15 18 46 6

Swimming

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.[23]

Year Swimmers Events Gold Silver Bronze Total Rank
1896 Did not compete
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
2016 1 5 0 6 6
Total 16 28 30 74 7

Synchronized swimming

Further information: Synchronized swimming at the Summer Olympics

Great Britain appeared in the first synchronized swimming competition in 1984.

Year Athletes Events Gold Silver Bronze Total Rank
1984 2 2 0 0 0 0 -
1988 2 2 0 0 0 0 -
1992 2 2 0 0 0 0 -
1996-2004 Did not compete
2008 2 1 0 0 0 0 -
2012 8 2 0 0 0 0 -
2016 2 1 0 0 0 0 -
Total 18 10 0 0 0 0 -

Taekwondo

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,silver and bronze in 2016.

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 15
2012 4 4 1 0 1 2 5
2016 4 4 1 1 1 3 3
Total 17 17 2 1 3 6 6

Tennis

Further information: Tennis at the Summer Olympics
Fans celebrate Andy Murray winning gold, 5 August 2012

John Pius Boland dominated the 1896 tennis tournaments. Tennis in 1896 was a sport that 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 seven others (three 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
2016 7 5 1 0 0 1 2
Total 17 14 12 43 2

Triathlon

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 2nd place in the men's triathlon, and 3rd-place finish in the women's triathlon, in 2016.

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
2016 6 2 1 1 1 3 1
Total 29 10 2 1 2 5 =1

Tug of war

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 was then one of only two teams to compete in 1912 and 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

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 -
2016 Did not compete
Total - - 0 0 0 0 -

Water motorsports

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

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 -
2016 Did not compete
Total - - 4 0 0 4 3

Weightlifting

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 -
2016 2 2 0 0 0 0 -
Total 1 3 3 7 29

Wrestling

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
1912 12 5 0 0 0 0 -
1920 10 10 0 0 2 2 6
1924 14 13 0 0 1 1 9
1928 6 6 0 0 1 1 12
1932 2 2 0 0 0 0 -
1952 16 0 0 1 1
1972 6 6 0 0 0 0 -
1976 6 6 0 0 0 0 -
1980 6 6 0 0 0 0 -
1984 7 7 0 0 1 1 14
1988 7 7 0 0 0 0 -
1992 1 1 0 0 0 0 -
1996 1 1 0 0 0 0 -
2000 Did not compete
2004 1 1 0 0 0 0 -
2008 Did not compete
2012 1 1 0 0 0 0 -
2016 Did not compete
Total 3 4 10 17 24

See also

References

  1. ^ "FAQ". BOA. Retrieved 29 July 2012.
  2. ^ "Sir Chris Hoy wins sixth Olympic gold medal with keirin win". BBC. Retrieved 7 August 2012.
  3. ^ Gibson, Owen (9 February 2014). "Sochi 2014: snowboarder Jenny Jones wins Britain's first ever medal on snow". The Guardian. Retrieved 20 February 2017.
  4. ^ Hart, Simon (9 February 2014). "Jenny Jones wins snowboard slopestyle bronze medal at Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics". The Telegraph. Retrieved 20 February 2017.
  5. ^ "Sochi 2014: Jenny Jones - Team GB's first Olympic snow medallist". BBC Sport. 10 February 2014. Retrieved 20 February 2017.
  6. ^ http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/olympics/37085511
  7. ^ McGarrigle, Heather (10 March 2011). "No place for 'NI', says Olympic Team GB". Belfast Telegraph.
  8. ^ "Minister urges BOA to change 'erroneous Team GB name'". BBC News. 10 March 2011. Retrieved 27 April 2011.
  9. ^ http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/olympics_2004/olympics_2012/3433557.stm
  10. ^ "Constitution of Ireland". Office of the Attorney General. Retrieved 15 July 2016.
  11. ^ a b "Team GB for Beijing". BBC Sport. 21 July 2008. Retrieved 24 August 2008.
  12. ^ a b "Team GB for Beijing - Athletics". BBC Sport. 21 July 2008. Retrieved 24 August 2008.
  13. ^ "Athletics". BBC Sport. 26 September 2008. Retrieved 24 August 2008.
  14. ^ "Team GB for Beijing - Badminton". BBC Sport. 21 July 2008. Retrieved 24 August 2008.
  15. ^ "Badminton players selected for Team GB at Rio Olympics". www.badmintonengland.co.uk. 27 June 2016. Retrieved 19 August 2016.
  16. ^ a b "Team GB for Beijing - Boxing". BBC Sport. 21 July 2008. Retrieved 24 August 2008.
  17. ^ a b "Team GB for Beijing - Cycling". BBC Sport. 21 July 2008. Retrieved 24 August 2008.
  18. ^ "Cycling". BBC Sport. 29 September 2008. Retrieved 24 August 2008.
  19. ^ a b c d e "Medals in Cycling - Track". Retrieved 8 August 2012.
  20. ^ a b "Team GB for Beijing - Swimming". BBC Sport. 21 July 2008. Retrieved 24 August 2008.
  21. ^ a b "Team GB for Beijing - Equestrian". BBC Sport. 21 July 2008. Retrieved 24 August 2008.
  22. ^ "Equestrian". BBC Sport. 12 September 2008. Retrieved 24 August 2008.
  23. ^ "Rebecca Adlington". British Swimming. Retrieved 8 August 2012.
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