Jamaica at the Olympics facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Jamaica at theOlympics |
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| IOC code | JAM | ||||||||
| NOC | Jamaica Olympic Association | ||||||||
| Medals Ranked 40th |
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| Other related appearances | |||||||||
 British West Indies (1960) |
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Jamaica is a country known for its amazing athletes, especially in running! The country first joined the Olympic Games in 1948. Since then, Jamaican athletes have competed in every Summer Olympic Games.
In 1960, Jamaican athletes were part of a bigger team called the West Indies Federation. Jamaica has also sent athletes to the Winter Olympic Games since 1988. Their Jamaica national bobsleigh team became quite famous!
Overall, Jamaican athletes have won 94 medals. Almost all of these medals (93 out of 94) were won in athletics. Most of these athletics medals came from individual and relay sprint events.
The organization in charge of Jamaica's Olympic efforts is the Jamaica Olympic Association. It was started in 1936.
Contents
Jamaica's Olympic Journey
Jamaica's journey in the Olympics began in 1948. They have been a strong presence in the Summer Games ever since.
Summer Games Appearances
Jamaica first competed in the Summer Olympics in 1948. They have sent athletes to every Summer Games since then. In 1960, Jamaican athletes competed as part of the West Indies Federation team. After that, they continued to compete as Jamaica.
Winter Games Appearances
Jamaica also started competing in the Winter Olympics in 1988. The Jamaica national bobsleigh team became very well-known. They have participated in most Winter Games since then, though they haven't won any medals yet.
Olympic Medals for Jamaica
Jamaica has a proud history of winning medals at the Olympics, especially in track and field.
Medals Won at Summer Olympics
Jamaica has won a total of 94 medals at the Summer Olympic Games. Here's a look at their medal count over the years:
| Games | Athletes |  Gold
|
 Silver
|
 Bronze |
Total | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 1948 London |
13 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 20 |
 1952 Helsinki |
8 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 13 |
 1956 Melbourne |
6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – |
 1960 Rome |
as part of the British West Indies (BWI) |
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  1964 Tokyo |
21 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – |
 1968 Mexico City |
25 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 39 |
 1972 Munich |
33 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 43 |
 1976 Montreal |
20 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 21 |
 1980 Moscow |
18 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 34 |
 1984 Los Angeles |
45 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 28 |
  1988 Seoul |
35 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 34 |
 1992 Barcelona |
36 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 38 |
| 1996 Atlanta |
46 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 6 | 39 |
| 2000 Sydney |
45 | 0 | 6 | 3 | 9 | 54 |
 2004 Athens |
47 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 35 |
 2008 Beijing |
50 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 11 | 15 |
| 2012 London |
50 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 13 | 18 |
 2016 Rio de Janeiro |
56 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 11 | 16 |
| 2020 Tokyo |
48 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 9 | 21 |
 2024 Paris |
58 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 6 | 44 |
| Total | 27 | 39 | 28 | 94 | 38 | |
Medals Won by Sport
Almost all of Jamaica's Olympic medals have come from athletics, especially in sprint events. They have also won one medal in cycling.
| Sports | Gold
|
Silver
|
Bronze |
Total | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Athletics | 27 | 39 | 27 | 93 | 8 |
| Cycling | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 45 |
| Total | 27 | 39 | 28 | 94 | 38 |
Famous Jamaican Medalists
Many Jamaican athletes have won medals at the Olympics. Here are some of the most well-known medal winners:
- Arthur Wint was one of Jamaica's first Olympic heroes. He won a gold medal in the men's 400 metres in 1948.
- Usain Bolt is often called the fastest man in the world. He won multiple gold medals in sprint events (100m, 200m, and relays) in 2008, 2012, and 2016.
- Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce is a sprint queen, winning many gold medals in the women's 100 metres and relays across several Olympics.
- Elaine Thompson-Herah also dominated women's sprinting, winning gold medals in the 100m and 200m in 2016 and 2020.
- Veronica Campbell-Brown is another legendary sprinter with multiple Olympic medals, including gold in the 200m.
- Hansle Parchment won a gold medal in the men's 110 metres hurdles in 2020.
- Rojé Stona won a gold medal in the men's discus throw in 2024.
These athletes, along with many others, have made Jamaica a powerhouse in track and field.
Images for kids
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Athletics pictogram
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Cycling pictogram
See also
In Spanish: Jamaica en los Juegos Olímpicos para niños
- List of flag bearers for Jamaica at the Olympics
- Tropical nations at the Winter Olympics
