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Joe Edwards

By Joe Edwards

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As the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris progress, a significant number of countries still strive for their first-ever Olympic medal. Despite the global nature of the Games, there remain nations whose athletes have yet to ascend the podium.

Over 50 countries and territories have never won an Olympic medal, either in the Summer or Winter Games. Among these are nations like South Sudan, which participated in the Olympics for the first time in 2016, and Monaco, which has been competing for over a century without a medal.

The 2024 Olympics have already seen historic firsts for several countries. On Saturday, Thea LaFond-Gadson from Dominica won a gold medal in the women's triple jump, marking the first Olympic medal for her nation. Similarly, Julien Alfred secured Saint Lucia's first Olympic medal with her gold in the women's 100-meter sprint​​.

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The Challenge of Winning Medals

The pursuit of Olympic medals for these countries is fraught with challenges, from limited funding and resources to inadequate training facilities.

In recent years, initiatives have been undertaken to support athletes from underrepresented nations. For instance, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has programs aimed at providing financial assistance and training support.

The IOC's efforts include investing in sports infrastructure and creating scholarship opportunities for athletes.

Explore the map below or read the list to see which countries are yet to take home any bronze, silver or gold.

Africa

  1. Angola
  2. Benin
  3. Burkina Faso
  4. Central African Republic
  5. Chad
  6. Comoros
  7. Democratic Republic of the Congo
  8. Equatorial Guinea
  9. Eswatini (Swaziland)
  10. Gambia
  11. Guinea-Bissau
  12. Lesotho
  13. Liberia
  14. Libya
  15. Madagascar
  16. Malawi
  17. Mali
  18. Mauritania
  19. Rwanda
  20. São Tomé and Príncipe
  21. Seychelles
  22. Sierra Leone
  23. Somalia
  24. South Sudan

Asia

  1. Bhutan
  2. Brunei
  3. Bangladesh
  4. Cambodia
  5. East Timor (Timor-Leste)
  6. Laos
  7. Maldives
  8. Myanmar
  9. Nepal
  10. Yemen
  11. Oman

Europe

  1. Albania
  2. Andorra
  3. Bosnia and Herzegovina
  4. Kosovo
  5. Malta
  6. Monaco

Oceania

  1. Cook Islands
  2. Kiribati
  3. Marshall Islands
  4. Federated States of Micronesia
  5. Nauru
  6. Palau
  7. Papua New Guinea
  8. Solomon Islands
  9. Tuvalu
  10. Vanuatu

Americas

  1. Antigua and Barbuda
  2. Belize
  3. El Salvador
  4. Honduras
  5. Saint Kitts and Nevis
  6. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Looking Ahead

While the number of countries without Olympic medals decreases each year, the journey for many continues.

The achievements of athletes like Thea LaFond-Gadson and Julien Alfred serve as inspirations, showing that with perseverance and support, even the smallest nations can achieve Olympic success.

The Olympic Games continue to be a platform where dreams can come true, regardless of a country's size or history in sports. The stories of those still striving for their first medal add a unique and hopeful narrative to the rich tapestry of the Olympics.

Do you have a story we should be covering? Do you have any questions about the 2024 Paris Olympics? Contact LiveNews@newsweek.com

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