The Olympic Games have taken place for over 2000 years and Jamaica has participated in the Olympic Games since 1948, when it was still an official British colony. In 1960, two years before full independence from British rule took place; Jamaican athletes took part in the Summer Olympic Games as a part of the West Indies Federation Team. Jamaica has taken part in the Winter Olympic Games since 1988, with the introduction of the Jamaican National Bobsled Team.
1948 to 1988
During the first forty years of Jamaica's involvement with the Summer Olympic Games, athletes brought home a total of four gold medals, nine silver medals and six bronze medals. All but one of these medals were in the athletics category, more specifically, running. The men's 400 meter has always been the leading event for Jamaican athletes, as well as the men's 4x400 meter relay, men's 100, 200, and 800 meter events. The Jamaican women's 200 meter event began emerging as a leading race in 1980, winning three bronze medals and a silver medal right up until 1988. The one non-running event that earned Jamaica medal was the men's one kilometre trial in 1980, where David Weller was awarded a bronze medal. Of course the 1988 Olympics were the most famous for the Jamaicans because of the addition of the persevering National Bobsled Team. They did not place during the bobsled events, but the team was a fan favourite around the world.
1992 to 2000
The next eight years were huge for female Jamaican Olympic athletes. In that time a total of one gold medal, eleven silver medals and seven bronze medals. Out of the 19 medals brought home between 1992 and 2000, 14 were earned by women. Once again, athletics was the category and running was the main event. Women's 100, 200, 400 meter, relays and hurdles all garnered excellent results from the athletes. The male competitors who brought medals home were awarded for excellence in Men's long jump, 400 meter hurdles, and 4x400 meter relay. The single gold medal for the period was given to female athlete Deon Hemmings in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics for the 400 meter hurdles event.
2004 to 2008
The two sets of Summer Olympic Games that took place during this time were huge for Jamaica. The Olympic National Team brought home a whopping total of eight gold medals, four silver medals and four bronze medals. This time the medal distribution was a little more evenly spread between the sexes, but the women still had a slight edge. The 2008 Beijing games were clearly more successful Jamaican athletes as the bulk of their gold medals were earned at that venue.
Jamaican athletes have had a reputation for speed since their first entry into the Olympics in 1948. Perhaps the training in a tropical climate is beneficial, or maybe the diet of seafood and tropical fruits does the trick; no one outside of Jamaica will ever really know. Whatever the reason, Jamaica is set to take over the podium in upcoming Olympic Games.
1948 to 1988
During the first forty years of Jamaica's involvement with the Summer Olympic Games, athletes brought home a total of four gold medals, nine silver medals and six bronze medals. All but one of these medals were in the athletics category, more specifically, running. The men's 400 meter has always been the leading event for Jamaican athletes, as well as the men's 4x400 meter relay, men's 100, 200, and 800 meter events. The Jamaican women's 200 meter event began emerging as a leading race in 1980, winning three bronze medals and a silver medal right up until 1988. The one non-running event that earned Jamaica medal was the men's one kilometre trial in 1980, where David Weller was awarded a bronze medal. Of course the 1988 Olympics were the most famous for the Jamaicans because of the addition of the persevering National Bobsled Team. They did not place during the bobsled events, but the team was a fan favourite around the world.
1992 to 2000
The next eight years were huge for female Jamaican Olympic athletes. In that time a total of one gold medal, eleven silver medals and seven bronze medals. Out of the 19 medals brought home between 1992 and 2000, 14 were earned by women. Once again, athletics was the category and running was the main event. Women's 100, 200, 400 meter, relays and hurdles all garnered excellent results from the athletes. The male competitors who brought medals home were awarded for excellence in Men's long jump, 400 meter hurdles, and 4x400 meter relay. The single gold medal for the period was given to female athlete Deon Hemmings in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics for the 400 meter hurdles event.
2004 to 2008
The two sets of Summer Olympic Games that took place during this time were huge for Jamaica. The Olympic National Team brought home a whopping total of eight gold medals, four silver medals and four bronze medals. This time the medal distribution was a little more evenly spread between the sexes, but the women still had a slight edge. The 2008 Beijing games were clearly more successful Jamaican athletes as the bulk of their gold medals were earned at that venue.
Jamaican athletes have had a reputation for speed since their first entry into the Olympics in 1948. Perhaps the training in a tropical climate is beneficial, or maybe the diet of seafood and tropical fruits does the trick; no one outside of Jamaica will ever really know. Whatever the reason, Jamaica is set to take over the podium in upcoming Olympic Games.
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