Great Britain at the Olympics

Athletes from the United Kingdom, all but three of its overseas territories, and the three Crown dependencies, compete in the Olympic Games as part of the team Great Britain or Team GB. It has sent athletes to every Summer and Winter Games, along with France and Switzerland, 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 2018 inclusive, Great Britain has won 851 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, and fourth behind Germany when considering gold medal totals.

Great Britain at the
Olympics
IOC codeGBR
NOCBritish Olympic Association
Medals
Ranked 4th
Gold
274
Silver
299
Bronze
310
Total
883
Summer appearances
Winter appearances
Other related appearances
1906 Intercalated Games
 Ireland (1924–present)

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.

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 Sir 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), Steve Redgrave (men's coxless pair 1988–1996) and Ed Clancy (men's team pursuit 2008-2016). 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. 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.

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.

At the Winter Olympics as a non-alpine nation Great Britain has historically been unable to replicate the amount of success they have achieved in the Summer Olympics although in recent years with the expansion of the Winter Olympics to include sports such as Curling, Snowboarding, Skeleton and Freestyle skiing has brought some increased success. Currently Great Britain is the most successful nation in women's skeleton, having won a medal six times, at least 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 and 2018. Great Britain enjoyed a period of significant success between 1976 and 1984 in figure skating, winning golds in three successive games on the rink. 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.[2][3][4] At the 2018 Games, Izzy Atkin won Britain's first skiing medal, winning a bronze in the women's ski slopestyle.[5][nb 1]

The most successful Winter Olympian from Great Britain is Lizzy Yarnold, with two gold medals in the women's skeleton.

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, 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 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 of Northern Ireland. A number of Northern Irish-born athletes, particularly in boxing, have won medals for Ireland at the Games. Athletes from Ireland represented Great Britain up until the 1920 Olympics while the entire island was part of the United Kingdom.[10]

Hosted Games

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 in the management and funding of British sports and facilities.[11]

London also won the right to host the 1944 Summer Olympics. However, the 1944 games were cancelled due to WW2.

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 London mayor announced plans to bid for the 2032 or 2036 Olympics, which was backed by UK sport.[12] However, it has been speculated that either Manchester or Birmingham may be in the frame to host, rather than London, at least for the 2040 games. Although it may be possible for London to host the 2032 games, with Manchester or Birmingham hosting the 2040 games.[13]

Medal tables

  Host country

List of Winter Olympic medallists

This list also contains the medals won in winter sports at the 1908 and 1920 Summer Olympics.

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
 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
 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
James H. Johnson
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

Stripped Medal

Great Britain's only stripped medal in Olympic history was an Alpine Skiing bronze at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. Alain Baxter tested positive for a banned substance, which was claimed to be as a result of Baxter using an inhaler with 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) shares the most gold medals of any British Olympian on six with Chris Hoy (2nd from top). Lizzy Yarnold (bottom) is the most successful British Winter Olympian.

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 Total
Chris Hoy Track cycling 2000–2012SummerM6107
Jason Kenny Track cycling 2008–2016SummerM6107
Bradley Wiggins Track cycling
Road cycling
2000–2016SummerM5128
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
Laura Kenny Track cycling 2012–2016SummerF4004
Jack Beresford Rowing 1920–1936SummerM3205
Charlotte Dujardin Equestrian 2012–2016SummerF3104
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
George Wilkinson Water polo 1900–1912SummerM3003
  • 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. Lizzy Yarnold is the most successful British athlete at the Winter Olympics, with two gold medals.

Most successful in their sport

Chris Hoy, Jason Kenny (both cycling), Ben Ainslie (sailing) Alistair Brownlee (Triathlon) and Lizzy Yarnold (skeleton) are the most successful Olympic competitors in their sports, as of 2018.

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

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-
Total0000-

Archery

Year Archers Events Gold Silver Bronze Total Rank
1900Did not compete
1904
190841322151
1912No Competition
1920Did not compete
1924-1968No Competition
1972620000-
1976420000-
1980420000-
1984620000-
19886400114
19926400226
1996340000-
2000340000-
20044400116
20086[14]4[14]0000-
2012640000-
2016240000-
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-
1996-2004Did not compete
2008220000-
2012820000-
2016220000-
Total0000-

Athletics

Year Athletes Events Gold Silver Bronze Total Rank
189651201125
190092333282
190432511022
190812626773172
1912613021584
19204129444123
19246527335113
1928552222154
1932242324285
1936522325074
19487924061714
1952662401455
1956552414274
1960612413486
19646224471123
1968682412149
1972702411247
19765223001120
19806124424103
19848524376163
198810224062813
1992912420466
19967724042625
2000722422266
2004542430143
2008582412588
2012692441163
2016802421476
Total5580702053
EventNo. of
appearances
First
appearance
First
medal
First
gold medal
Gold Silver Bronze Total Best finish
Men's 100 metres25/281896192019243238 (1924, 1980, 1992)
Men's 400 metres26/281896189619082327 (1908, 1924)
Men's 800 metres27/281896190019006309 (6 times)
Men's 1500 metres26/2819001900190055313 (5 times)
Men's 110 metres hurdles26/2818961896N/A0314 (1896, 1936, 1988)
Men's 2500 metres steeplechase1/119001900N/A0101 (1900)
Men's 4000 metres steeplechase1/11900190019001113 (1900)
Men's 5000 metres team race1/11900N/AN/A0000[15] (1900)
Men's marathon26/2819001932N/A0415 (4 times)
Men's long jump20/281900190019642024 (1964, 2012)
Men's triple jump21/281900190819082215 (1908, 2000)
Men's high jump21/2819001900N/A0325 (1900, 1908, 2008)
Men's discus throw20/281896N/AN/A00004th (1896, 1956)

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
1976-1988No Competition
19921240000-
19962250000-
200016500115
200413501014
20086[16]50000-
2012850000-
20168[17]500118
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-
2016Did 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)Did not compete
1952-1956Sport not held
1960210000-
1964410000-
1968520000-
1972420000-
1976420000-
1980430000-
1984630000-
1988430000-
1992560000-
1994460000-
1998260000-
2002480000-
20062100000-
20101100000-
20142110000-
20181110000-
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-
Total11359

Boxing

Great Britain made its Olympic boxing debut in 1908.

Year Boxers Events Gold Silver Bronze Total Rank
1896-1900No 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[18]1110236[18]
2012101331151
2016121311136
Total181325563

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
Total5751713

Cricket

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
190012110011
EventNo. of
appearances
First
appearance
First
medal
First
gold medal
GoldSilverBronze Total Best finish
2-day 12-man1/11900190019001001 (1900)

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-
Total0000-

Curling

Year Athletes Events Gold Silver Bronze Total Rank
19245110011
1928No competition held
1932 (demonstration)Did not compete
1936-1984No competition held
1988 (demonstration)520000-
1992 (demonstration)1020000-
1994No competition held
19981020000-
200210210011
20061020000-
20101020000-
201410201122
20181030000-
Total21143

Cycling

Year Cyclists Events Gold Silver Bronze Total Rank
18962601124
1900Did not compete
1904
190836753191
191226202023
192013613151
192412601125
192812603145
19327601125
193611600116
194810603254
195212600116
195612601235
19601260000-
19641270000-
19681470000-
1972117001111
1976116001112
19801260000-
19841680000-
19881790000-
1992161010014
19961914002212
2000221811246
2004221821143
200825[19]18842141 [20]
201225188[21]2[21]2[21]12[21]1 [21]
20162618642121
Total323025873

Road

EventNo. of
appearances
First
appearance
First
medal
First
gold medal
GoldSilverBronze Total Best finish
Men's individual road race20/2018961896N/A0033 (1896, 1956, 1996)

Track

EventNo. of
appearances
First
appearance
First
medal
First
gold medal
GoldSilverBronze Total Best finish
Men's track time trial18/191896194820002013 (2000, 2004)
Men's 100 kilometres2/21896190819081102 (1908)
Men's 12 hour race1/118961896N/A0101 (1896)

Diving

Great Britain made its Olympic diving debut in 1908.

Year Divers Events Gold Silver Bronze Total Rank
1904Did not compete
19081620000
19123500113
19205601014
192411600114
1928740000-
1932Did not compete
1936640000-
194840000-
1952640000-
1956540000-
1960400223
1964640000-
1968540000-
1972840000-
1976440000-
1980640000-
1984640000-
1988540000-
1992440000-
1996540000-
2000880000-
20047801016
200810[22]8[22]0000-
201212800117
201611811132
Total1361013

Equestrian

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
1912450000-
192080000-
1924660000-
192860000-
193260000-
19366600117
19486600117
19526610013
19568610233
196010500117
19648600118
196810612141
197211621032
19761160000-
1980Did not compete
198411602134
198812602134
19921260000-
19961560000-
200014601015
200411611133
200812[23]6[23]00227[24]
201213631151
201612621032
Total111113355

Fencing

Great Britain 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-
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-
Total537156

Football

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
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
Total30033

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.

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
Total001120

Golf

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
19004201122
1904Did not compete
1908–2012No competition
20164210011
Total8411132

Gymnastics

Great Britain first competed in gymnastics in the inaugural 1896 Olympics, with wrestler Launceston Elliott 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
Total2491522

Artistic

EventNo. of
appearances
First
appearance
First
medal
First
gold medal
GoldSilverBronze Total Best finish
Men's rope climbing2/41896N/AN/A00005th (1896)

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
Total426125

Ice hockey

Year Players Events Gold Silver Bronze Total Rank
1920Did not compete
192410100113
19281210000-
1932Did not compete
193613110011
19481410000-
1952-2018Did 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 19 judo medals, none have been gold.

Year Players Events Gold Silver Bronze Total Rank
1964440000-
1968No Judo tournament
19725601234
19763601125
19808801128
19848801235
198837001111
19921414022411
199613140000-
2000914010112
20048140000-
20087140000-
20121414011213
2016714001121
Total08111934

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-
Total0000-

Modern pentathlon

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
1912310000-
1920410000-
1924410000-
1928310000-
1932310000-
1936310000-
1948310000-
1952320000-
1956320000-
1960320000-
1964320000-
1968320000-
1972320000-
19763210011
1980320000-
1984320000-
19883200113
1992320000-
1996110000-
20002210121
20042200115
20084201014
20124201013
2016420000-
Total2237=6

Nordic combined

Year Skiers Events Gold Silver Bronze Total Rank
1924-1932Did not compete
1936110000-
1948-2018Did not compete
Total0000-

Polo

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
19007As part of the  Mixed team
1904No competition
190812112031
1912No competition
19204110011
19244100113
1928-1932No competition
19362101012
1948–PresentNo competition
Total23161

Rackets

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

Year Players Events Gold Silver Bronze Total Rank
19087222371

Rowing

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
Total312413683

Rugby

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

Year Players Events Gold Silver Bronze Total Rank
1896No competition
190015101012
1904No competition
190815101012
1912No competition
1920-1924Did not compete
1928-2012No competition
201624201013
Total03036

Sailing

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
19008740152
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
Total281911581

Shooting

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
1896250000-
1900190000-
1904Sport not held
19086715678211
1912381814494
19207210000-
1924221012033
1928Sport not held
193220000-
193650000-
19481250000-
19521260000-
1956660000-
19601060000-
1964860000-
196810710014
1972147001116
19761370000-
198070000-
1984181110345
198881311024
19927130000-
19965150000-
200061711026
20046170000-
20085150000-
2012111510015
2016615002217
Total131518466
EventNo. of
appearances
First
appearance
First
medal
First
gold medal
GoldSilverBronze Total Best finish
Past events
Men's 200 metre military rifle1/11896N/AN/A000010th (1896)
Men's 300 metre free rifle, three positions6/121896N/AN/A000010th (1908)
Men's 25 metre rapid fire pistol14/251896N/AN/A00009th (1924)
Men's 25 metre military pistol1/11896N/AN/A0000DNF (1896)

Short track speed skating

Year Skaters Events Gold Silver Bronze Total Rank
1988 (demonstration)41020022
1992540000-
19943600116
1998560000-
2002580000-
2006480000-
2010780000-
2014580000-
2018580000-
Total001112

Skeleton

Great Britain is the most successful nation 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
1932-1936No competition held
19484100113
1952-1998No competition held
20022200113
20063201013
20104210011
20144210012
20184210231
Total31592

Ski jumping

Year Skiers Events Gold Silver Bronze Total Rank
19241984Did not compete
1988130000-
19921998Did not compete
2002130000-
20062018Did not compete
Total0000-

Snowboarding

Year Snowboarders Events Gold Silver Bronze Total Rank
1998Did not compete
2002140000-
2006460000-
2010460000-
2014710001114
2018510001113
Total002220

Speed skating

Year Skaters Events Gold Silver Bronze Total Rank
1924450000-
1928330000-
1932-1936Did not compete
1948540000-
1952340000-
1956340000-
1960280000-
1964380000-
1968580000-
1972280000-
19762100000-
19806100000-
19841100000-
19882100000-
19921100000-
1994-2018Did not compete
Total0000-

Sport climbing

Year Climbers Events Gold Silver Bronze Total Rank
2020120000
Total0000

Swimming

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.[25]

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
Total162830747

Table tennis

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

Taekwondo

Great Britain have competed in all five 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
2000280000-
2004480000-
200838001115
20124810125
20164811133
Total21366

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. 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[26]2
19006441381
1904Did not compete
1908226654151
191211822262
19208523161
192410501233
1924-1964No competition held
1968 (demonstration)Did not compete
1972-1980No competition held
1984 (demonstration)340000-
1988540000-
1992640000-
19965401015
2000640000-
2004140000-
2008240000-
20128511022
20167510012
Total17141243[26]2
EventNo. of
appearances
First
appearance
First
medal
First
gold medal
GoldSilverBronze Total Best finish
Men's singles13/151896189618965139 (5 times)
Men's doubles12/151896189619003339[26] (1900, 1908, 1920)

Triathlon

Great Britain have competed in all five 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
2000620000-
2004620000-
2008520000-
20126210121
20166211131
Total29102125=1

Tug of war

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
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-
2016Did not compete
Total--0000-

Water motorsports

Great Britain 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
19008110011
1904Did not compete
19087110011
19127110011
19207110011
192410000-
192810000-
1932Did not compete
193610000-
194810000-
195210000-
195610000-
1960-2008Did not compete
20122620000-
2016Did not compete
Total--40043

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-
Total133729
EventNo. of
appearances
First
appearance
First
medal
First
gold medal
GoldSilverBronze Total Best finish
Men's one hand lift1/11896189618961001 (1896)
Men's two hand lift1/218961896N/A0101 (1896)

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-
2016Did not compete
Total34101724

Greco-Roman

EventNo. of
appearances
First
appearance
First
medal
First
gold medal
GoldSilverBronze Total Best finish
Men's Greco-Roman open1/11896N/AN/A00004th (1896)

See also

Notes

  1. At the 2002 Winter Olympics, Alain Baxter finished third in the Men's Slalom, but was subsequently stripped on the bronze medal owing to a failed drugs test.[6]

References

  1. "FAQ". BOA. Retrieved 29 July 2012.
  2. Gibson, Owen (9 February 2014). "Sochi 2014: snowboarder Jenny Jones wins Britain's first ever medal on snow". The Guardian. Retrieved 20 February 2017.
  3. Hart, Simon (9 February 2014). "Jenny Jones wins snowboard slopestyle bronze medal at Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics". The Telegraph. Retrieved 20 February 2017.
  4. "Sochi 2014: Jenny Jones - Team GB's first Olympic snow medallist". BBC Sport. 10 February 2014. Retrieved 20 February 2017.
  5. Bloom, Ben (17 February 2018). "Izzy Atkin wins Britain's first ever skiing Winter Olympics medal". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 17 February 2018.
  6. "Baxter: How I blew Olympic glory". BBC Sport. 21 March 2002. Retrieved 21 February 2018.
  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. "BBC SPORT - Olympics 2004 - Olympics 2012 - Irish and GB in Olympic row". news.bbc.co.uk.
  10. "Constitution of Ireland". Office of the Attorney General. Retrieved 15 July 2016.
  11. "Rio Olympics 2016: Team GB beat China to finish second in medal table". 21 August 2016 via www.bbc.co.uk.
  12. http://www.sportspromedia.com/news/london-olympics-bid-2036
  13. https://www.cbre.co.uk/research-and-reports/our-cities/major-sporting-events
  14. "Team GB for Beijing". BBC Sport. 21 July 2008. Retrieved 24 August 2008.
  15. Does not include gold medal won as part of a mixed team.
  16. "Team GB for Beijing - Badminton". BBC Sport. 21 July 2008. Retrieved 24 August 2008.
  17. "Badminton players selected for Team GB at Rio Olympics". www.badmintonengland.co.uk. 27 June 2016. Retrieved 19 August 2016.
  18. "Team GB for Beijing - Boxing". BBC Sport. 21 July 2008. Retrieved 24 August 2008.
  19. "Team GB for Beijing - Cycling". BBC Sport. 21 July 2008. Retrieved 24 August 2008.
  20. "Cycling". BBC Sport. 29 September 2008. Retrieved 24 August 2008.
  21. "Medals in Cycling - Track". Retrieved 8 August 2012.
  22. "Team GB for Beijing - Swimming". BBC Sport. 21 July 2008. Retrieved 24 August 2008.
  23. "Team GB for Beijing - Equestrian". BBC Sport. 21 July 2008. Retrieved 24 August 2008.
  24. "Equestrian". BBC Sport. 12 September 2008. Retrieved 24 August 2008.
  25. "Rebecca Adlington". British Swimming. Archived from the original on 15 April 2013. Retrieved 8 August 2012.
  26. Does not include gold and bronze medals won in 1896 by mixed teams that included a British player.
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