Nations That Have Competed at the Olympics Without Ever Winning a Medal

The Olympic Games are the penultimate competition, the Acadamy Awards of the sports world. For athletes worldwide, representing their countries at the games for a chance to win a medal is something many dream about. Although the games originated in ancient Greece in 776 BCE, the modern games began in 1896. Since then, some nations have competed at the Olympics without ever winning a medal.

Some countries have a larger percentage of athletes representing them, and nations like the United States, and France, which have well over 550, have increased odds of taking home the ultimate prize. But other countries, like Belize and Somalia, only have one athlete and the odds are stacked against them. However, other nations that have competed in the Olympic Games have yet to bring home victory.

To compile this list of nations that have competed at the Olympics without ever winning a medal, 24/7 Tempo consulted Olympic-related sources. These include World Atlas, Olympics.com, and NBCSports. Medal counts can be found at Le Monde, the French news outlet.

For more Olympic content, click here to read about the most iconic moments in Summer Olympics history.

Albania is known for its beautiful views along the coast and rich history. However, the country isn't known for producing stellar Olympians. Albania first gained independence in 1912, which means the citizens had more than enough time to train and become great athletes.

The country puts many of its resources into tourism since so many folks from around the world come to see the Mediterranean Sea in person. But it was the 2024 Paris Olympics that finally put their lack of medals to an end. Wrestlers Chermen Valiev and Islam Dudaev both took home the bronze in the men's freestyle 74 kg and 65 kg, respectively.

Like Albania, this Caribbean island puts most of their focus into tourism. However, folks on the island are still proud and hopeful to see one of their own stand on a medal podium in the near future. One of the biggest problems Antigua and Barbuda faces is the constant threat of natural disasters. The training centers and practice areas are constantly at risk of being destroyed.

One of the most notable athletes to come from Antigua and Barbuda is Charmaine Gilgeous. She competed in the 1992 games in the women's 400-meter dash. While she didn't medal herself, her son looks like he'll bring home a medal for Canada in the near future.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is one of the top players in the NBA today. Internationally, he represents Canada. The folks from Antigua and Barbuda still root him on as hard as they can, though.

While many African nations are known for producing top-tier Olympians, Cape Verde isn't one of them. This group of islands off the western part of the continent is where plenty of folks from around the world go to relax and unwind. The population is around 600,000 people, which means there are far less athletes to stand out.

Cape Verde has been a country for only 50 years and has had fewer chances of competing as a nation than most. The nation doesn't have the same level of training centers as many other countries across the globe. Yet, it was the 2024 Paris Olympics that finally brought them success. Boxer David de Pina took the bronze medal in the men's 51 kg.

Bolivia has more than 12 million people residing in its borders, making it one of the most populated countries to never win a medal. The two most popular sports in the country are soccer and racquetball. The national racquetball team is one of the best in the world. However, racquetball isn't recognized as an Olympic sport.

If the country were to win a medal at the Olympics, they would likely do so in a sport like badminton. The top talent in soccer and tennis is already established. Badminton is similar enough to racquetball that the athletes could bring their experience over. If it weren't for either of those, folks from Bolivia would likely succeed at running. The weather is usually ideal for those to be outdoors and train for the games.

Few countries around the world compare to the beauty of Fiji. More than 300 islands make up the nation of Fiji, where folks from around the world go to see some of the most beautiful water in the world. The country is known for a lot, however, it's not known for producing top tier Olympians.

It's no secret that Fiji's best chance at winning a medal is in rugby. The sport is engrained in nearly every Polynesian country, and Fiji is no different, and it finally resulted in a win. The rugby finally ended Fiji's streak of no medals. At the 2024 Paris Games, the Fijian rugby team clinched the silver medal.

Laos is home to one of the largest Buddhist populations in the world. The architecture in Vientiane was designed to look as beautiful on the outside as it does in the inside. However, the country is also known for never winning an Olympic medal.

The country has been through plenty of more serious situations in their history, which has taken the focus away from winning various athletic competitions. There are nearly 8 million people residing in Laos, which means there are plenty of potential athletes to bring home gold.

The most popular sports in the country are martial arts. Laos may have to pin their hopes on judo, as kickboxing and Muay Thai were denied for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.

Given the size and population of Andorra, it's not too shocking to see them on the list of countries who have never won an Olympic medal. The country is only 180 square miles and is home to roughly 85,000 people, but it only had two Olympic athletes.

The countries of France and Spain border Andorra. That means that the top athletes from the country go to train in other places. They're more likely to become citizens of France or Spain to increase their chances of Olympic success.

While most of the citizens of Andorra prefer winter sports, such as skiing and snowboarding, rugby and basketball are quite popular, but it was canoe slalom and steeplechase that they attempted a victory.

Millions of people flock to Aruba every year to relax and unwind. The Caribbean island is known for being the perfect place to relax and not worry about rain ruining your vacation. While the island is home to some of the friendliest people in the world, it's not known as a place that produces the best Olympians in the world. In fact, nobody representing Aruba has stood on the medal stand.

One of the main reasons for this is that the top athletes from Aruba typically represent the Netherlands at the games. The Dutch are in control of Aruba. However, the country has competed on their own at the games since 1988. The most popular sports on the island are baseball and beach volleyball. Baseball will be back in the games in 2028, and fans will have to wait and hope the country can medal at the 2028 games.

Few countries have experienced what Cambodia has during their existence. Unfortunately for the citizens, it still hasn't amounted to winning a medal during the Summer Olympics. There are roughly 17 million people in the country, but only three athletes who represented their country.

The most popular sport in Cambodia is soccer. Other team sports haven't gained the same popularity in Cambodia as they have in other parts of the world.

Even though El Salvador is only 8,000 square miles, more than six million people make up the population. The country is still hoping for its first Olympic medal. The country participates in sports like swimming and track and field every games, where athletes showcase their abilities against the rest of the world.

Team sports like soccer dominate the lives of the citizens of El Salvador. While the country hasn't won a medal yet, they've been in position for many years. Their best chance was in 1968 during the games in Mexico City. The country sent 60 athletes to represent them at the Summer Olympics that year, but only eight were sent in 2024.

Individual sports are likely the way El Salvador will win an Olympic medal in the future. While the soccer team is good, there's plenty of great competition from other countries around the world.

Another Central American country that's struggled with Olympic success is Honduras. The country has competed in the games since 1968. However, the first citizen of Honduras has yet to take their place on the medal stand. Like El Salvador, soccer is the most popular sport for locals to play in Honduras. However, swimming and combat sports have risen in popularity as well.

Nearly 10 million people reside in Honduras, but only four athletes were sent to the 2024 Paris Games. The additions of baseball and softball will give Honduras another shot at medals in the games. Baseball and softball are two wildly popular sports in Latin America, and Honduras is no different.

The games in 2028 will be big for Honduras, since baseball and softball will be officially back in the games. Competitions like triathlons are another place where folks from Honduras will thrive, with the great outdoor access people there have.

Lesotho is arguably most-known for being the country South Africa completely surrounds. While people enjoy the uniqueness of the geography, the locals are still waiting to see one of their own on the medal podium. Because of the relationship with South Africa, Lesotho doesn't have as many sports options.

Those who compete typically flee to the nation that surrounds them. The biggest sport in Lesotho is soccer. The top league in the country is called the Lesotho Premier League. This might be the nation's best chance at winning a medal.

Prior to the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, Saint Lucia was another country on this list. However, Julien Alfred changed all of that. The sprinter from the Caribbean island took the world by storm. She won the women's 100-meter dash and came in second to Gabby Thomas in the women's 200-meter dash.

For more Olympic coverage, click here to read about the oldest Olympic athletes in sports history.