Great Britain at the Olympics

Athletes from the United Kingdom, all but three of its overseas territories, and the three Crown dependencies, can compete in the Olympic Games as part of Team GB. Athletes from Northern Ireland (part of the UK) can also choose to compete as part of Team Ireland instead (though most sports in NI are organised on an all-Ireland basis). It has sent athletes to every Summer and Winter Games, since the start of the Olympics' modern era in 1896, including the 1980 Summer Olympics, which were boycotted by a number of other Western nations. From 1896 to 2020 inclusive, Great Britain & NI has won 918 medals at the Summer Olympic Games, and another 32 at the Winter Olympic Games. It is the only national team to have won at least one gold medal at every Summer Games, lying third globally in the winning of total medals, surpassed only by the United States and the former Soviet Union.

Great Britain at the
Olympics
IOC codeGBR
NOCBritish Olympic Association
Medals
Ranked 4th
Gold
296
Silver
323
Bronze
331
Total
950
Summer appearances
Winter appearances
Other related appearances
1906 Intercalated Games

Team GB 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. 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 British Olympian by gold medals won is Sir Jason Kenny, who has won seven gold medals in track cycling. He is followed by Sir Chris Hoy who won six. Kenny also has the most total medals with 9, followed by fellow cyclist Sir Bradley Wiggins who has eight. Dame Laura Kenny, with five gold medals, has the most golds of any British female athlete and became the first British woman to win gold at three consecutive Olympic Games at Tokyo 2020. She shares the designation of most total medals by a British female competitor with horse-rider Charlotte Dujardin. 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.

At the Winter Olympics as a non-alpine team Great Britain has historically been unable to replicate the amount of success they have achieved in the Summer Olympics although the team enjoyed gold medal success at figure skating through the seventies and eighties, while in recent years, the expansion of the Winter Olympics to include sports such as Curling, Snowboarding, Skeleton and Freestyle skiing has brought some renewed success. Currently, Great Britain is the most successful team in women's skeleton, having won a medal six times, and every gold medal from 2010 to 2018. The most successful Winter Olympian from the Great Britain team is Lizzy Yarnold, with two gold medals, both in the women's skeleton.

Eligibility

A heroes' welcome for Welsh Olympians and Paralympians at Senedd Cymru – Welsh Parliament; 2012

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, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales), plus the three Crown dependencies (Guernsey, Isle of Man and Jersey), and all but three of the British Overseas Territories (Bermuda, British Virgin Islands and Cayman Islands have their own NOCs).

Representatives of the devolved Northern Ireland government and others in the region, however, have objected to the name "Team GB" as discriminatory, and have called for it to be renamed as "Team UK" to make it clearer that Northern Ireland is included on the team.[2][3]

Under the IOC charter, the Olympic Federation of Ireland is responsible for the entire island of Ireland.[4] However, athletes from Northern Ireland can elect to represent either the UK (in Team GB) or Ireland at the Olympics, as people of Northern Ireland. A number of Northern Irish-born athletes, particularly in boxing, have won medals for Ireland at the Games. All athletes from the whole of Ireland were included in the Great Britain team up until the 1920 Olympics as the entire island was part of the United Kingdom at that time.[5]

Hosted Games

The United Kingdom 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 team 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 in the management and funding of British sports and facilities.[6]

London also won the right to host the 1944 Summer Olympics. However, the 1944 games were cancelled due to the Second World War.

Successful bids

GamesHost cityDatesNationsParticipantsEvents
1908 Summer OlympicsLondon27 April – 31 October222,008110
1944 Summer OlympicsLondonCancelled
1948 Summer OlympicsLondon29 July – 14 August594,104136
2012 Summer OlympicsLondon27 July – 12 August20410,820302

Unsuccessful bids

GamesCityWinner of bid
1992 Summer OlympicsBirminghamBarcelona, Spain
1996 Summer OlympicsManchesterAtlanta, United States
2000 Summer OlympicsManchesterSydney, Australia

Potential future bids

In February 2019, the Mayor of London announced plans to bid for the 2032 or 2036 Olympics, which was backed by UK Sport.[7] However, it has been speculated that either Manchester or Birmingham may be in the frame to host future games, rather than London. In July 2021, the 2032 Games were awarded to Brisbane.

Medals

  Host country

List of Winter Olympic medallists

This list also contains the medals won in winter sports at the 1908 and 1920 Summer Olympics, which are not counted in the overall winter Olympic total.

Medal Name(s) Games Sport Event
 GoldMadge Syers 1908 London Figure SkatingLadies' singles
 GoldWilliam Jackson
Thomas Murray
Robin Welsh
Laurence Jackson
1924 Chamonix CurlingMen's event
 GoldGreat Britain men's national ice hockey team 1936 Garmisch-Partenkirchen Ice hockeyMen's event
 GoldJeannette Altwegg 1952 Oslo Figure skatingLadies' singles
 GoldRobin Dixon
Tony Nash
1964 Innsbruck BobsleighTwo man
 GoldJohn Curry 1976 Innsbruck Figure skatingMen's singles
 GoldRobin Cousins 1980 Lake Placid Figure skatingMen's singles
 GoldJayne Torvill
Christopher Dean
1984 Sarajevo Figure skatingIce dancing
 GoldRhona Martin
Debbie Knox
Fiona MacDonald
Janice Rankin
Margaret Morton
2002 Salt Lake City CurlingWomen's event
 GoldAmy Williams 2010 Vancouver SkeletonWomen's event
 GoldLizzy Yarnold 2014 Sochi SkeletonWomen's event
 GoldLizzy Yarnold 2018 Pyeongchang SkeletonWomen's event
 GoldEve Muirhead
Vicky Wright
Jennifer Dodds
Hailey Duff
Mili Smith
2022 Beijing CurlingWomen's event
 SilverPhyllis Johnson
James H. Johnson
1908 London Figure skatingPairs Skating
 SilverArthur Cumming 1908 London Figure skatingMen's special figures
 SilverRalph Broome
Thomas Arnold
Alexander Richardson
Rodney Soher
1924 Chamonix BobsleighFour man
 SilverCecilia Colledge 1936 Garmisch-Partenkirchen Figure skatingLadies' singles
 SilverShelley Rudman 2006 Turin SkeletonWomen's event
 SilverDavid Murdoch
Greg Drummond
Scott Andrews
Michael Goodfellow
Tom Brewster
2014 Sochi CurlingMen's event
 SilverBruce Mouat
Grant Hardie
Bobby Lammie
Hammy McMillan Jr.
Ross Whyte
2022 Beijing CurlingMen's event
 BronzeGeoffrey Hall-Say 1908 London Figure skatingMen's special figures
 BronzeDorothy Greenhough-Smith 1908 London Figure skatingLadies' singles
 BronzeMadge Syers
Edgar Syers
1908 London Figure skatingPairs skating
 BronzePhyllis Johnson
Basil Williams
1920 Antwerp Figure skatingPairs Skating
 BronzeEthel Muckelt 1924 Chamonix Figure skatingLadies' singles
 BronzeGreat Britain men's national ice hockey team 1924 Chamonix Ice hockeyMen's event
 BronzeDavid Carnegie 1928 St. Moritz SkeletonMen's event
 BronzeFrederick McEvoy
James Cardno
Guy Dugdale
Charles Green
1936 Garmisch-Partenkirchen BobsleighFour man
 BronzeJeannette Altwegg 1948 St. Moritz Figure skatingLadies' singles
 BronzeJohn Crammond 1948 St. Moritz SkeletonMen's event
 BronzeNicky Gooch 1994 Lillehammer Short track speed skatingMen's 500m
 BronzeJayne Torvill
Christopher Dean
1994 Lillehammer Figure skatingIce dancing
 BronzeSean Olsson
Dean Ward
Courtney Rumbolt
Paul Attwood
1998 Nagano BobsleighFour man
 BronzeAlex Coomber 2002 Salt Lake City SkeletonWomen's event
 BronzeJenny Jones 2014 Sochi SnowboardingWomen's slopestyle
 BronzeEve Muirhead
Anna Sloan
Vicki Adams
Claire Hamilton
Lauren Gray
2014 Sochi CurlingWomen's curling
 BronzeJohn James Jackson
Bruce Tasker
Stuart Benson
Joel Fearon
2014 Sochi BobsleighFour man
 BronzeDominic Parsons 2018 Pyeongchang SkeletonMen's event
 BronzeLaura Deas 2018 Pyeongchang SkeletonWomen's event
 BronzeBilly Morgan 2018 Pyeongchang SnowboardingMen's Big Air
 BronzeIzzy Atkin 2018 Pyeongchang Freestyle skiingWomen's slopestyle

Multiple medallists

The following athletes have won more than one medal for Great Britain at the Winter Olympics, or in winter disciplines. Bold denotes athletes that have not yet retired.

Athlete Sport Years Gender Total
Lizzy Yarnold Skeleton 2014–2018F2002
Eve Muirhead Curling 2014–2022F1012
Christopher Dean Figure skating 1984–1994M1012
Jayne Torvill Figure skating 1984–1994F1012
Jeannette Altwegg Figure skating 1948–1952F1012
Madge Syers Figure skating 1908F1012
Phyllis Johnson Figure skating 1908–1920F0112

Stripped medal

Great Britain's only stripped medal in Winter Olympic history was an Alpine Skiing bronze at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. Alain Baxter tested positive for a banned substance, resulting from Baxter using an inhaler product which, unknowingly to him, contained different chemicals in the United States.

Medal Name(s) Games Sport Event
 BronzeAlain Baxter 2002 Salt Lake City Alpine SkiingMen's slalom

Medals by individual

Jason Kenny (top) has won the most gold medals of any British Olympian, with seven; his wife Laura Kenny (centre) has the most gold medals of any female British Olympian, with five. Lizzy Yarnold (bottom) is the most successful British Winter Olympian, with two gold medals.

According to official data of the International Olympic Committee. This is a list of people who have won at least three Olympic gold medals or four Olympic 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 Total
Jason Kenny Track cycling 2008–2020SummerM7209
Chris Hoy Track cycling 2000–2012SummerM6107
Bradley Wiggins Track cycling
Road cycling
2000–2016SummerM5128
Laura Kenny Track cycling 2012–2020SummerF5106
Steve Redgrave Rowing 1984–2000SummerM5016
Ben Ainslie Sailing 1996–2012SummerM4105
Mo Farah Athletics 2012–2016SummerM4004
Matthew Pinsent Rowing 1992–2004SummerM4004
Paulo Radmilovic Water polo
Swimming
1908–1920SummerM4004
Jack Beresford Rowing 1920–1936SummerM3205
Adam Peaty Swimming 2016–2020SummerM3205
Charlotte Dujardin Equestrian 2012–2020SummerF3126
Max Whitlock Gymnastics 2012–2020SummerM3036
Henry Taylor Swimming 1908–1920SummerM3025
Ed Clancy Track cycling 2008–2016SummerM3014
Reginald Doherty Tennis 1900–1908SummerM3014
Richard Meade Equestrian 1968–1972SummerM3003
Pete Reed Rowing 2008–2016SummerM3003
Charles Sydney Smith Water polo 1908–1920SummerM3003
Andrew Triggs Hodge Rowing 2008–2016SummerM3003
4 Olympic medals or more, and less than 3 Olympic golds
James Guy Swimming 2016–2020SummerM2305
Sebastian Coe Athletics 1980–1984SummerM2204
Rebecca Adlington Swimming 2008–2012SummerF2024
Duncan Scott Swimming 2016–2020SummerM1506
Katherine Grainger Rowing 2000–2016SummerF1405
Kathleen McKane Godfree Tennis 1920–1924SummerF1225
Guy Butler Athletics 1920–1924SummerM1124
Charles Dixon Tennis 1908–1912SummerM1124
Liam Heath Canoeing 2012–2020SummerM1124
Christine Ohuruogu Athletics 2008–2016SummerF1124
Tom Daley Diving 2012–2020SummerM1034
Ginny Leng Equestrian 1984–1988SummerF0224
Louis Smith Gymnastics 2008–2016SummerM0224
Joyce Cooper Swimming 1928–1932SummerF0134
  • People in bold are still active competitors

Lizzy Yarnold is the most successful British athlete at the Winter Olympics, with two gold medals. Duncan Scott is the most prolific athlete at a single Games, winning four medals (1 gold, 3 silver) at the 2020 Olympics. Steve Redgrave is the most consistent British Olympic athlete, winning gold medals at five consecutive Games (1984-2000).

Most successful British Olympian progression

This table shows how the designation of most successful British Olympian has progressed over time. This table ranks athletes by golds, then silvers, then bronzes; the progression would be different if ranked purely by medals.

Athlete Sport Date Gender Total
Launceston Elliot Weightlifting 7 April 1896M1001
7 April 1896M1102
Lorne Currie Sailing 25 May 1900M2002
John Gretton Sailing M
Linton Hope Sailing M
Algernon Maudslay Sailing M
Laurence Doherty Tennis 11 July 1900M
Reginald Doherty Tennis 28 August 1900M2013
11 July 1908M3014
Henry Taylor Swimming 15 July 1912M
Paul Radmilovic Swimming
Water polo
29 August 1920M4004
Steve Redgrave Rowing 21 July 1996M4015
23 September 2000M5016
Chris Hoy Track cycling 2 August 2012M5106
7 August 2012M6107
Jason Kenny Track cycling 16 August 2016M
3 August 2021M6208
8 August 2021M7209

Most successful in their sport

As of the 2020 Olympics, the following athletes are the most successful (ordered by golds, then silvers, then bronzes) in their sport:

Steve Redgrave and Reginald Doherty are the most successful male athletes in their respective sports, Rowing and Tennis. Five-time gold medalist Laura Kenny is the most successful female cyclist and Hannah Mills with two gold medals and a silver is the successful woman in sailing. Nicola Adams, with two golds, shares the title of most successful woman in Boxing.

Medals by sport

Alpine skiing

Year Skiers Events Gold Silver Bronze Total Rank
1936820000
19481360000
1952760000
19561460000
1960860000
19641160000
19681060000
1972860000
19761060000
1980960000
1984860000
198812100000
199212100000
19946100000
19986100000
20026100000
20066100000
20104100000
20142100000
20184110000
20224110000
Total0000

Archery

Year Archers Events Gold Silver Bronze Total Rank
1900Did not compete
1904
190841322151
1912No Competition
1920Did not compete
19241968No Competition
1972620000
1976420000
1980420000
1984620000
19886400114
19926400226
1996340000
2000340000
20044400116
20086[8]4[8]0000
2012640000
2016240000
2020650000
Total22595

Artistic swimming

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

Year Swimmers Events Gold Silver Bronze Total Rank
1984220000
1988220000
1992220000
19962004Did not compete
2008220000
2012820000
2016220000
2020220000
Total0000

Athletics

Year Athletes Events Gold Silver Bronze Total Rank
1896501125
1900933282
1904311022
1908126773172
19126121584
192041444123
192465335113
19285522154
19322424285
19365225074
194879061714
19526601455
19565514274
19606113486
196462471123
19686812149
19727011247
197652001120
198061424103
198485376163
1988102062813
19929120466
199677042625
20007222266
20045430143
20085812588
20126942063
2016804721476
20207748023524
Total5583722103

Badminton

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)6310232
19761988No Competition
19921240000
19962250000
200016500115
200413501014
20086[9]50000
2012850000
20168[10]500118
2020750000
Total01237

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

Basketball

Year Players Events Gold Silver Bronze Total Rank
1936Did not compete
19481310000
1952–2008Did not compete
20122420000
2016–2020Did not compete

Biathlon

Year Skiers Events Gold Silver Bronze Total Rank
1928 (demonstration)Did not compete
1932Sport not held
1936 (demonstration)Did not compete
1948 (demonstration)
19521956Sport not held
1960210000
1964410000
1968520000
1972420000
1976420000
1980430000
1984630000
1988430000
1992560000
1994460000
1998260000
2002480000
20062100000
20101100000
20142110000
20181110000
2022Did not compete
Total0000

Bobsleigh

Year Riders Events Gold Silver Bronze Total Rank
19248101012
19281010000
1932Did not compete
19364200113
19481020000
1952Did not compete
1956820000
19648210011
1968820000
1972820000
1976820000
19801020000
19841020000
1988820000
1992820000
1994820000
19987200115
20021430000
2006630000
2010830000
20148300115
20181030000
2022640000
Total11359

Boxing

Great Britain made its Olympic boxing debut in 1908.

Year Boxers Events Gold Silver Bronze Total Rank
18961900No competition
1904Did not compete
1908325545141
1912No competition
192016821362
192416822042
1928880000
1932380000
1936880000
19488802026
195210100000
195671021251
1960101000339
19648100000
196891110015
1972911003315
1976711001110
1980911001111
19841212001114
1988812001115
19921012001115
19962120000
200021210017
200411101018
20087[11]1110236[11]
2012101331151
2016121311136
2020111322262
Total201527623

Canoeing

Year Canoeists Events Gold Silver Bronze Total Rank
1936390000
1948790000
1952790000
1956390000
1960770000
1964570000
19681070000
197220110000
197611110000
198011110000
198415120000
198817120000
19922516010114
199617160000
20001216011212
2004916012312
200871611137
2012151621143
2016111622043
2020816011212
Total5861916

Cricket

Great Britain and France were the only two teams 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 medallists in cricket.

Year Cricketers Events Gold Silver Bronze Total Rank
190012110011

Cross-country skiing

Year Skiers Events Gold Silver Bronze Total Rank
19241932Did not compete
1936130000
19481952Did not compete
1956860000
1960360000
1964670000
19682006Did not compete
20103120000
20144120000
20184120000
20223120000
Total0000

Curling

Year Athletes Events Gold Silver Bronze Total Rank
19245110011
1928No competition held
1932 (demonstration)Did not compete
19361984No competition held
1988 (demonstration)520000
1992 (demonstration)1020000
1994No competition held
19981020000
200210210011
20061020000
20101020000
201410201122
20181030000
202210311021
Total32163

Cycling

Jason Kenny with seven gold and two silver medals is the most successful British Olympian, most successful British cyclist, indeed the most successful cyclist, in Olympic history. His wife, Laura Kenny is the most successful British female Olympian, and most successful Olympic female cyclist in history, with five golds and one silver. As of 2021, of the 100 cycling medals won by Great Britain, half (50) have been won in the four Games since 2008, including 28 gold medals. Great Britain had won ten golds in total between 1896 and 2008.

Year Cyclists Events Gold Silver Bronze Total Rank
18962601124
19001301013
1904Did not compete
190836753191
191226202023
192013613151
192412601125
192812603145
19327601125
193611600116
194810603254
195212600116
195612601235
19601260000
19641270000
19681470000
1972117001111
1976116001112
19801260000
19841680000
19881790000
1992161010014
19961914002212
2000221811246
2004221821143
200825[12]18842141 [13]
201225188[14]2[14]2[14]12[14]1 [14]
20162618642121
20202622642121
Total3835271002

Diving

Great Britain made its Olympic diving debut in 1908. Jack Laugher with one gold, one silver and one bronze medal is the most successful British Olympic diver in history. Tom Daley, with one gold and three bronze medals, is the most decorated.

Year Divers Events Gold Silver Bronze Total Rank
1904Did not compete
19081620000
19123400113
19205501014
192411500114
1928740000
1932Did not compete
1936640000
194840000
1952640000
1956540000
1960400223
1964640000
1968540000
1972840000
1976440000
1980640000
1984640000
1988540000
1992440000
1996540000
2000880000
20047801016
200810[15]8[15]0000
201212800117
201611811132
202012810232
Total2381310

Equestrian

Great Britain had one rider compete in the hacks and hunter combined event at the first Olympic equestrian events in 1900.

Year Riders Events Gold Silver Bronze Total Rank
1900110000
1912450000
192080000
1924660000
192860000
193260000
19366600117
19486600117
19526610013
19568610233
196010500117
19648600118
196810612141
197211621032
19761160000
1980Did not compete
198411602134
198812602134
19921260000
19961560000
200014601015
200411611133
200812[16]6[16]00227[17]
201213631151
201612621032
20209621252
Total131215404

Fencing

Great Britain first competed in fencing in 1900 and won its first fencing medal, a silver, in 1908 at the London Games.

Year Fencers Events Gold Silver Bronze Total Rank
1896Did not compete
1900370000
1904Did not compete
190823401013
191222501015
19201860000
192420701016
192819701015
19323701016
19361870000
19481970000
19521770000
19569710014
196018802025
196413801017
19681780000
19721980000
19762180000
19801180000
19842080000
19881380000
19921580000
19962100000
20003100000
20042100000
20083100000
201212100000
20163100000
20201120000
Total180918

Figure skating

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

Year Skaters Events Gold Silver Bronze Total Rank
190811412361
19206300114
19246300115
1928630000
1932430000
193612301014
19489300117
19528310012
1956830000
1960430000
1964530000
1968730000
1972530000
197612410013
19809410013
198410410013
1988940000
1992740000
19946400115
1998140000
2002240000
2006240000
2010740000
2014650000
2018250000
2022350000
Total537156

Football

Great Britain and Ireland – now represented separately by Team Ireland and Team Great Britain – was one of three teams to play in the inaugural football tournament, winning their only match to take the first Olympic gold medal in football. The men's team competed in the ten Olympics in the table below. The women's team competed in 2012, and has qualified for 2020.

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.

Year Footballers Events Gold Silver Bronze Total Rank
1896No competition
190011110011
1904Did not compete
190811110011
191211110011
19201110000
1924Did not compete
1928
1932No Competition
19361110000
19481110000
19521110000
19561110000
19601110000
19642008Did not compete
20122220000
2016Did not compete
20201820000
Total30033

Freestyle skiing

Year Skiers Events Gold Silver Bronze Total Rank
1988 (demonstration)Did not compete
1992560000
1994340000
1998340000
2002340000
2006Did not compete
2010360000
20146100000
20181110001111
202211130000
Total001122

Golf

Great Britain was one of four teams to play golf at the first Olympic golf events in 1900, taking silver and bronze in the men's competition. 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
19004201122
1904Did not compete
1908–2012No competition
20164210011
2020420000
Total411132

Gymnastics

Great Britain first competed in gymnastics in the inaugural 1896 Olympics, with wrestler Launceston Elliot entering the rope climbing event and finishing last. 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
1896180000
1900510000
1904Did not compete
190865201013
191223400118
19202740000
1924890000
192820800116
1932Did not compete
1936890000
19481690000
195214150000
19563150000
196012140000
19644140000
19684140000
19729140000
197612140000
19806140000
198412140000
19884140000
19928140000
19964140000
20007140000
20046140000
2008814001117
20121014013412
2016101422373
2020101410237
Total34111821

Handball

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
20123020000

Field hockey

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

Year Players Events Gold Silver Bronze Total Rank
190845111241
1912No hockey tournament
192015110011
1924No hockey tournament
1928Did not compete
193210000-
1936Did not compete
194812101012
195213100113
195610000
196010000
196410000
196810000
197210000
1976Did not compete
1980
1984200114
1988210011
1992200114
199620000
200020000
200420000
200820000
2012200115
2016210011
202032200115
Total427134

Ice hockey

Year Players Events Gold Silver Bronze Total Rank
1920Did not compete
192410100113
19281210000
1932Did not compete
193613110011
19481410000
19522022Did not compete
Total10125

Jeu de paume

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

Year Players Events Gold Silver Bronze Total Rank
19089101122

Judo

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 20 judo medals, none have been gold.

Year Judokas Events Gold Silver Bronze Total Rank
1964440000
1968No Judo tournament
19725601234
19763601125
19808801128
19848801235
198837001111
19921414022411
199613140000
2000914010112
20048140000
20087140000
20121414011213
2016714001121
2020615001117
Total08122034

Lacrosse

Great Britain's Olympic lacrosse debut was in 1908.

Year Players Events Gold Silver Bronze Total Rank
190812101012

Luge

Year Athletes Events Gold Silver Bronze Total Rank
1964230000
1968230000
1972630000
1976430000
1980730000
1984430000
1988430000
1992230000
1994130000
1998Did not compete
2002130000
2006230000
2010130000
2014Did not compete
2018240000
2022140000
Total0000

Modern pentathlon

Great Britain's Olympic modern pentathlon debut was in 1912 when it was first included in the Olympics. Their most successful games were the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, where Great Britain won both the available gold medals.

Year Pentathletes Events Gold Silver Bronze Total Rank
1912310000
1920410000
1924410000
1928310000
1932310000
1936310000
1948310000
1952320000
1956320000
1960320000
1964320000
1968320000
1972320000
19763210011
1980320000
1984320000
19883200113
1992320000
1996110000
20002210121
20042200115
20084201014
20124201013
2016420000
20204220021
Total42394

Nordic combined

Year Skiers Events Gold Silver Bronze Total Rank
19241932Did not compete
1936110000
19482022Did not compete
Total0000

Polo

Great Britain was one of four teams 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. Great Britain would be the only team to play in all five of the Olympic polo tournaments, with no other nation appearing more than three times. The nation took gold and two silvers in 1908, when only British teams competed. Facing international competition in 1920, the British side won. The 1924 tournament resulted in a bronze medal for Great Britain, while the team took silver in 1936. In international play, the Great Britain team had an overall record of 5–3 (semifinal and final wins in 1920, a 2–2 record the 1924 round-robin, and a first-round win and final loss in 1936). There were 2 games in 1908 pitting teams from Great Britain against each other, necessarily resulting in a 2–2 record that year. The mixed teams in 1900 had records of 3–0, 1–1, and 0–1, though both losses (and, of course, therefore two of the wins) were against each other.

Year Players Events Gold Silver Bronze Total Rank
19007as part of the  Mixed team
1904No competition
190812112031
1912No competition
19204110011
19244100113
19281932No competition
19362101012
1948–PresentNo competition
Total23161
EventNo. of
appearances
First
appearance
First
medal
First
gold medal
GoldSilverBronze Total Best finish
Men's5/51900190819082316[18] (1908, 1920)

Rackets

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

Year Players Events Gold Silver Bronze Total Rank
19087222371

Rowing

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

Year Rowers Events Gold Silver Bronze Total Rank
19001500116
1904Did not compete
190830443181
191224422041
192010502024
192421720023
192823712142
193215720022
193618711022
194826721031
19522370000
19561270000
19602670000
19648701017
19681170000
19721770000
1976311402027
1980431401236
1984421410015
1988301410125
1992461420024
1996371410127
2000361421033
2004371412143
2008441422261
2012471442391
2016431432051
20204114011214
Total312514703

Rugby

Great Britain took a silver medal in the first Olympic rugby competition, in 1900. They repeated as silver medallists by losing the only match in 1908. Great Britain did not compete in 1920 or 1924. When the sport returned in 2016 as rugby sevens, Great Britain earned a third silver medal (in men's) as well as placing 4th in the first women's rugby competition.

Year Players Events Gold Silver Bronze Total Rank
1896No competition
190015101012
1904No competition
190815101012
1912No competition
19201924Did not compete
19282012No competition
201624201013
20202420000
Total0303
EventNo. of
appearances
First
appearance
First
medal
First
gold medal
GoldSilverBronze Total Best finish
Men's rugby union2/419001900N/A0202 (1900, 1908)
Men's rugby sevens2/220162016N/A0101 (2016)
Women's rugby sevens2/22016N/AN/A00004th (2016, 2020)

Sailing

Great 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
1896No competition
1900874116[19]2
1904No competition
190841441161
1912Did not compete
192061420024
19245301013
1928730000
19322401015
193614410122
194813510013
195214501016
195612501235
19601150000
19649501018
19685510122
197213611022
197612611022
1980Did not compete
198413700118
198815810015
1992161000119
1996161002029
2000161132051
2004181121251
2008181141161
2012161014053
2016151021031
2020151031151
Total312112641

Shooting

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

Year Shooters Events Gold Silver Bronze Total Rank
1896250000
1900190000
1904Sport not held
19086715678211
1912381814494
19207210000
1924221012033
1928Sport not held
193220000
193650000
19481250000
19521260000
1956660000
19601060000
1964860000
196810710014
1972147001116
19761370000
1980Did Not Compete
1984181110345
198881311024
19927130000
19965150000
200061711026
20046170000
20085150000
2012111510015
2016615002217
2020515001117
Total131519476

Short track speed skating

Year Skaters Events Gold Silver Bronze Total Rank
1988 (demonstration)41020022
1992540000
19943600116
1998560000
2002580000
2006480000
2010780000
2014580000
2018580000
2022390000
Total001113

Skateboarding

Year Skateboarders Events Gold Silver Bronze Total Rank
20202400115
Total00115

Skeleton

Great Britain is the most successful team in Skeleton winning a medal at every Games in which the sport has been included and has won at least one medal in each of the five contests of Women's skeleton since its introduction with five different athletes. Lizzy Yarnold is the most successful Skeleton rider of all time winning back to back gold medals in 2014 and 2018. No other rider has successfully defended a gold medal.

Year Riders Events Gold Silver Bronze Total Rank
19281100112
19321936No competition held
19484100113
19521998No competition held
20022200113
20063201013
20104210011
20144210012
20184210231
2022420000
Total31592

Ski jumping

Year Skiers Events Gold Silver Bronze Total Rank
19241984Did not compete
1988120000
19921998Did not compete
2002120000
20062022Did not compete
Total0000

Snowboarding

Year Snowboarders Events Gold Silver Bronze Total Rank
1998Did not compete
2002140000
2006460000
2010460000
2014710001114
2018510001113
20223110000
Total002222

Speed skating

Year Skaters Events Gold Silver Bronze Total Rank
1924450000
1928330000
19321936Did not compete
1948540000
1952340000
1956340000
1960280000
1964380000
1968580000
1972280000
19762100000
19806100000
19841100000
19882100000
19921100000
19942018Did not compete
20222140000
Total0000

Sport climbing

Year Climbers Events Gold Silver Bronze Total Rank
2020120000
Total0000

Swimming

Great Britain was the third most successful team 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
1896Did not compete
19007520131
1904Did not compete
190825642171
191218912365
1920181001123
1924261112142
1928211102247
1932151100226
193622110000
1948321100117
1952261100119
1956221310124
1960321511133
1964331801016
1968272901019
19723629010110
1976402611135
1980322613154
1984332901456
1988313111135
19922831001116
19963932011212
200032320000
20043732002218
2008243422263
20124434012314
2016283415066
2020323743183
Total203131827

Table tennis

Year Players Events Gold Silver Bronze Total Rank
1988440000
1992640000
1996440000
2000140000
2004Did not compete
2008
2012640000
2016340000
2020350000
Total0000

Taekwondo

Great Britain have competed in all six taekwondo competitions that have taken place since 2000. Their best result is a gold, silver and bronze in 2016.

Year Taekwondokas Events Gold Silver Bronze Total Rank
2000280000
2004480000
200838001115
20124810125
20164811133
20205802138
Total23494

Tennis

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. Great 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
1896221001[21]2
19006441381
1904Did not compete
1908226654151
191211822262
19208523161
192410501233
19241964No competition held
1968 (demonstration)Did not compete
19721980No competition held
1984 (demonstration)340000
1988540000
1992640000
19965401015
2000640000
2004140000
2008240000
20128511022
20167510012
2020650000
Total17141243[21]2

Triathlon

Great Britain have competed in all Six triathlon competitions that have taken place since 2000. Their best finish is two 2nd place's in the men's and women's individual triathlon event's, and a 1st-place finish in the mixed triathlon relay event, in 2020(2021).

Year Athletes Events Gold Silver Bronze Total Rank
2000620000
2004620000
2008520000
20126210121
20166211131
20205312031
Total33281

Tug of war

Great Britain's Olympic tug of war debut came when the United Kingdom 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
190824111131
19128101012
192011110011
1924–presentNo Competition
Total43322151

Volleyball

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
1964–1992Did not compete
1996240000
2000–2008Did not compete
20122840000
2016–2020Did not compete
Total0000

Water motorsports

The United Kingdom hosted the only Olympic water motorsports contests, in 1908.

Year Athletes Events Gold Silver Bronze Total Rank
190813320021

Water polo

Year Players Events Gold Silver Bronze Total Rank
190010000-
1904Did not compete
19087110011
19127110011
19207110011
192410000
192810000
1932Did not compete
193610000
194810000
195210000
195610000
1960–2008Did not compete
20122620000
2016–2020Did not compete
Total30035

Weightlifting

Great Britain's only gold medal in weightlifting came at the first Games in 1896, when Launceston Elliot won the one-hand lift.

Year Weightlifters Events Gold Silver Bronze Total Rank
18961211021
1900Sport not held
1904Did not compete
1908Sport not held
1912Sport not held
1920–19362250000
194810601123
1952570000
1956570000
19607700116
19645701017
1968770000
1972990000
1976890000
198010100000
19841010001110
198810100000
19926100000
19961100000
20001150000
20042150000
20081150000
20125150000
20162150000
2020414010114
Total143832

Wrestling

Year Wrestlers Events Gold Silver Bronze Total Rank
1896110000
1900Sport not held
1904Did not compete
1908539344111
19121250000
1920101000226
1924141300119
1928613001112
19322140000
19526160011
19726200000
19766200000
19806200000
1984720001114
19887200000
19921200000
19961200000
2000Did not compete
20041180000
2008Did not compete
20121180000
2016–2020Did not compete
Total34101724

See also

Notes

    References

    1. "FAQ". BOA. Retrieved 29 July 2012.
    2. McGarrigle, Heather (10 March 2011). "No place for 'NI', says Olympic Team GB". Belfast Telegraph.
    3. "Minister urges BOA to change 'erroneous Team GB name'". BBC News. 10 March 2011. Retrieved 27 April 2011.
    4. "BBC SPORT – Olympics 2004 – Olympics 2012 – Irish and GB in Olympic row". news.bbc.co.uk.
    5. "Constitution of Ireland". Office of the Attorney General. Retrieved 15 July 2016.
    6. "Rio Olympics 2016: Team GB beat China to finish second in medal table". 21 August 2016 via www.bbc.co.uk.
    7. "London eyes 2036 Olympics bid - SportsPro".
    8. "Team GB for Beijing". BBC Sport. 21 July 2008. Retrieved 24 August 2008.
    9. "Team GB for Beijing – Badminton". BBC Sport. 21 July 2008. Retrieved 24 August 2008.
    10. "Badminton players selected for Team GB at Rio Olympics". www.badmintonengland.co.uk. 27 June 2016. Retrieved 19 August 2016.
    11. "Team GB for Beijing – Boxing". BBC Sport. 21 July 2008. Retrieved 24 August 2008.
    12. "Team GB for Beijing – Cycling". BBC Sport. 21 July 2008. Retrieved 24 August 2008.
    13. "Cycling". BBC Sport. 29 September 2008. Retrieved 24 August 2008.
    14. "Medals in Cycling – Track". Retrieved 8 August 2012.
    15. "Team GB for Beijing – Swimming". BBC Sport. 21 July 2008. Retrieved 24 August 2008.
    16. "Team GB for Beijing – Equestrian". BBC Sport. 21 July 2008. Retrieved 24 August 2008.
    17. "Equestrian". BBC Sport. 12 September 2008. Retrieved 24 August 2008.
    18. Does not include a gold, a silver, and a bronze medal as part of mixed teams in 1900.
    19. Does not include two gold medals and a bronze medal won as part of mixed teams in 1900.
    20. "Rebecca Adlington". British Swimming. Archived from the original on 15 April 2013. Retrieved 8 August 2012.
    21. Does not include gold and bronze medals won in 1896 by mixed teams that included a British player.
    This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.