Sweden first participated at the Olympic Games at the inaugural 1896 Games, and has sent athletes to compete in every Games since then with one exception, the sparsely attended 1904 Summer Olympics. Sweden has earned medals at all Olympic games except for two, the 1896 Games and the 1904 Games (the latter of which Sweden did not compete at). Sweden is the country with the longest Olympic Games medalling streak in history, having earned medals at every Olympic game since 1908.
According to official data of the Swedish Olympic Committee. This is a list of people who have won three or more Olympic gold medals for Sweden. 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.
Archery was included in the Olympic programme between 1900 and 1920. Sweden first participated in 1972, the same year archery returned to the programme after a 52-year absence. Sweden participated in the sport every time from 1972 to 2020.
Artistic swimming has been included in the Olympic programme since 1984. Sweden has participated once, in 1988 Marie Jacobsson participated in women's solo and finished 9th. There are no men's events in the sport.
Sweden first competed in track and field athletics in 1896, sending 1 athlete (Henrik Sjöberg) who competed in four events. Sweden's first medal in the sport was a bronze in the 1900 marathon by Ernst Fast.
Sweden has earned 21 gold and 85 total medals in athletics, its second most successful sport after wrestling (28 gold and 86 total). Sweden has 12th most gold medals in the sport, while its total medal count would place it 8th.
The Swedish athletes with most medals in the sport are Edvin Wide with five (one silver and four bronzes) won between 1920 and 1928 followed by Eric Backman with four (one silver and three bronzes), all won in 1920.
The Swedish athlete with most participations in the sport was John Ljunggren who participated in 5 Olympic Games between 1948 and 1964, winning one gold, one silver and one bronze medal.
1 Tage Brauer was registered to participate too, but sources conflict as to whether he actually participated. He was not included in this count.
Swedish athletes also won 2 gold, 4 silver and 5 bronze medals in athletics at the 1906 Intercalated Games. IOC has retroactively decided to no longer recognize those games as official Olympic games.
Badminton has been included in the Olympic programme since 1992. Sweden has participated in the sport in every time it has been included in the Olympic programme except for 2024.
Basketball has been included in the Olympic programme since 1936. Sweden has participated once, in 1980. Sweden men's national basketball team participated in men's 5x5 and finished 10th.
Boxing has been included in the Olympic programme since 1904 with the exception of the 1912 Games. Sweden first participated in 1924 and has participated most times since then.
Canoe slalom was first included in the Olympic programme in 1972. After that it didn't return until 1992, but it has remained in the programme since then.
Sweden has participated three times. Their best placement was by Erik Holmer who finished 9th in men's K1 in 2020. Sweden has so far not participated in women's events in the discipline.
Canoe sprint (including the discontinued discipline canoe marathon) has been included in the Olympic programme since 1936. Sweden has participated in the discipline every time it has been included in the programme.
Sweden's most successful athlete in the discipline is Gert Fredriksson. He won 8 medals (6 gold, 1 silver, 1 bronze) and remains the most successful male canoeist of any country at the Olympic Games,[1] and the most successful Swedish Olympian in any sport.[2] His Olympic titles came in K1 1000m and K1 10 000m in 1948, K1 1000m in 1952, K1 1000m and K1 10 000m in 1956, and K2 1000m together with Sven-Olov Sjödelius in 1960.
The most Olympic participations by a Swedish sprint canoeist is five, a record shared by three canoeists: Agneta Andersson (1980-1996), Anna Olsson (1984-2000) and Markus Oscarsson (1996-2012).
Road cycling was included in the Olympic programme in 1896. It returned in 1912 and has remained in the Olympic programme ever since. Sweden first participated in 1912 and has participated in the discipline in every Summer Olympic games since then except for 2020.
The most successful female Swedish cyclist in the discipline was Emma Johansson who won two silver medals in women's individual road race, first in 2008 and then again in 2016.
The Swedish athlete with most participations in the sport was Michael Lafis who participated in 4 Olympic Games between 1988 and 2000.
Sweden also participated in road cycling at the 1906 Intercalated Games without winning any medals in the discipline. IOC has retroactively decided to no longer recognize those games as official Olympic games.
Track cycling has been included in the Olympic programme since the inaugural 1896 Summer Olympics, with the exception of the 1912 Games held in Sweden.
The best placement was by Andrew Hansson who was one of 9 cyclists to reach the final but who failed to finish top 4 in men's 20 km in 1908.
Sweden has yet to participate in women's events in the discipline.
Sweden also participated in track cycling at the 1906 Intercalated Games without winning any medals in the discipline. IOC has retroactively decided to no longer recognize those games as official Olympic games.
Sweden also participated in diving at the 1906 Intercalated Games without winning any medals in the discipline. IOC has retroactively decided to no longer recognize those games as official Olympic games.
The Swedish athlete with most participations in the sport was Tinne Vilhelmson-Silfvén who participated in 7 Olympic Games between 1992 and 2016, all in dressage.
Dressage
Dressage had one event included in 1900. It returned to the Olympic programme in 1912 and has remained in the Olympic programme ever since. Sweden participated in the discipline at the 1912 Games and has participated most times since then.
Sweden has had two medal sweeps in the discipline, individual dressage in 1912 and 1920.
Show Jumping was included in the Olympic programme in 1900. It returned in 1912 and has remained in the Olympic programme ever since. Sweden has first competed in 1912 and has participated most times since then.
Sweden's most successful athletes in the discipline are Hans von Rosen who won 2 gold medals (in the team events in 1912 and 1920 as mentioned above) and Peder Fredricson who won 1 gold (in the team event in 2020) and 3 silver medals, in the team event in 2004, and in the individual events in 2016 and 2020.
The most participations in the discipline by a Swedish athlete is 5, by Malin Baryard-Johnsson (1996-2004, 2016–2020), Rolf-Göran Bengtsson (1996, 2004–2016, was also reserve in 2020) and Peter Eriksson (1984, 1992–1996, 2004–2008).
Equestrian driving was conducted during the 1900 Summer Olympics and equestrian vaulting during the 1920 Summer Olympics. Sweden didn't participate in the discipline in 1900, but did participate in both events in 1920, winning bronze in team vaulting.
Fencing has been included in the Olympic programme since the inaugural 1896 Games. Sweden first participated in 1900 and has participated most times since then.
The best placement in a women's event was 5th, by Kerstin Palm in women's foil in 1968. Kerstin Palm is also the Swedish athlete with most participations in the sport. She became the first woman from any country to participate in 7 Olympic Games by participating in all Summer Games between 1964 and 1988.[3]
Sweden also participated in fencing at the 1906 Intercalated Games without winning any medals in the sport. IOC has retroactively decided to no longer recognize those games as official Olympic games.
Football has been included in the Olympic programme since 1900 with the exception of the 1932 Games. Sweden first participated in 1908. The women's event was added in 1996, and Sweden has participated in every edition of that event except for 2024.
Sweden's most successful male Olympic footballer was Erik Nilsson who won gold in 1948 and bronze in 1952. Sweden's most successful female Olympic footballers are 9 players who won silver in both 2016 and 2020.
The most participations in the sport by a Swedish footballer is 4, shared between Hedvig Lindahl (2008–2020), Lotta Schelin (2004–2016) and Caroline Seger (2008–2020). Hedvig Lindahl was also part of the squad in 2004, but did not play in any games.[4]
2 Squad sizes were 18 each for men and women. However, squad member Pauline Hammarlund was replaced during the tournament by alternate Fridolina Rolfö due to injury.[5]
Golf was originally included in the Olympic programme in 1900 and 1904 but without Swedish participation. Golf returned to the games in 2016, and Sweden has participated in it since.
Artistic gymnastics has been included in the Summer Olympic programme since the inaugural 1896 Games. Sweden participated in the discipline at the 1896 Games and has participated frequently since then.
Sweden's sole gold medalist in an individual event is William Thoresson who won men's floor in 1952. He also won a silver medal in the same event in 1956 and is the Swedish athlete with most participations in Artistic Gymnastics in the Olympic games as he participated in four Games between 1952 and 1964.
Sweden's most successful athletes in the discipline are seven men who won two gold in team events; Holmberg, Landberg, brothers Norling and Norling, Rosén and Svensson won in 1908 and 1912, and John Sörenson won in 1912 and 1920.
Handball was included in the Olympic programme in 1936. It returned in 1972 and has remained in the Olympic programme ever since. Sweden first participated in 1972 and has participated in the sport in most Summer Olympic games since then. Sweden has won four medals, all silver, in the sport. Sweden men's national handball team managed to win those in the men's events in 1992, 1996, 2000 and 2012. The best placements in the women's event was 4th which Sweden women's national handball team achieved in 2020 and 2024.
Judo has been included in the Olympic programme since 1964 with the exception of the 1968 Games. Sweden first participated in 1972 and has participated every time since then except for 2008.
Modern pentathlon has been included in the Olympic programme since 1912. Sweden participated in the sport in every Olympic Games from then until 2004. They participated in every event held in the sport from the start in 1912 until 2000.
The sole Swedish woman to participate in modern pentathlon was Jeanette Malm who finished 17th in the women's event in 2000, the first Games where women were allowed to participate in the sport.
Rowing has been included in the Olympic programme since 1900. Sweden first participated in 1912 and has participated in the sport in most summer games since then.
Sailing has been included in the Olympic programme since 1900 with the exception of the 1904 Games. Sweden first participated in 1908 and has participated every time since then.
Shooting was included in the inaugural 1896 Summer Olympic programme and has been included in all Summer Games since then except for 1904 and 1928. Sweden first participated in 1908 and has participated in the sport every time it has been included in the programme since then.
Sweden has had two medal sweeps in the sport. During the 1912 Summer Olympics Sweden swept men's 25m small-bore rifle and men's 100 meter running deer, double shots. In the latter event Sweden took all the nine first places, which is the record for Sweden in any Olympic event.
The Swedish athlete with most participations in the sport is Ragnar Skanåker who participated in 7 Olympic Games between 1972 and 1996, winning four medals including the gold in mixed 50m pistol in 1972.
Swedish athletes also won one silver and one bronze medal in shooting at the 1906 Intercalated Games. IOC has retroactively decided to no longer recognize those games as official Olympic games.
Skateboarding was first introduced at the 2020 Summer Olympics. Sweden has participated in the sport every time it has been included in the programme.
The most successful Swedish participant so far is Hampus Winberg who finished 9th in men's park in 2024. Sweden has yet to participate in women's events in the sport.
Arne Borg and Anders Holmertz are the male Swedish swimmers with most Olympic medals. Arne Borg won 1 gold, 2 silver and 2 bronze medals between 1924 and 1928. He won his gold in men's 1500m freestyle in 1928. Anders Holmertz won 4 silver and 1 bronze medal between 1988 and 1996.
Sweden also participated in swimming at the 1906 Intercalated Games without winning any medals in the discipline. IOC has retroactively decided to no longer recognize those games as official Olympic games.
Marathon swimming has been included in the Olympic programme since 2008. Sweden has participated once, Eva Berglund participated in the women's event in 2008 and finished 18th.
Table tennis has been included in the Olympic programme since 1988. Sweden has participated every time. They have won five medals so far; one gold, three silver and one bronze.
Taekwondo has been included in the Olympic programme since 2000. Sweden has participated in the sport several times since then but has yet to win any medals in the sport.
Tennis was originally included in the Olympic programme between 1896 and 1924. Tennis returned to the games in 1988 and has remained in the programme since then. Sweden's first participation came in 1908, and Sweden has participated in the sport every time it has been included in the programme since then except for 2024.
Triathlon has been included in the Olympic programme since 2000. Sweden has one medal in the sport so far, Lisa Nordén earned the silver medal in the women's event in 2012. Sweden's sole participation in men's events so far was by Joachim Willén who finished 35th in the men's event in 2000.
Sweden also won the bronze medal in tug of war at the 1906 Intercalated Games. IOC has retroactively decided to no longer recognize those games as official Olympic games.
Water polo has been included in the Olympic programme since 1900 with the exception of the 1904 Games. Sweden first participated in 1908 and has participated eight times in total.
Sweden's most successful athletes in the sport are Robert Andersson, Pontus Hanson, Harald Julin and Torsten Kumfeldt who all have one silver and two bronze medals. They participated together all three times Sweden men's national water polo team managed to medal.
Sweden has yet to participate in women's events in the sport.
Weightlifting was first included in the Olympic programme at the inaugural 1896 Summer Olympics. It was excluded from the 1900, 1908 and 1912 Games but have been included every other time. Sweden first participated in the sport in 1920 and has participated most times since then.
Sweden also participated in weightlifting at the 1906 Intercalated Games without winning any medals in the sport. The IOC has retroactively decided to no longer recognize those games as official Olympic games.
Wrestling was included in the inaugural 1896 Summer Olympic programme and has been included in all Summer Games since then except for 1900. Sweden first participated in the sport in 1908 and has participated every time since then.
The most Olympic participations in the sport by Swedish athletes are 5, by Fredrik Nyberg between 1992 and 2006, and by Patrik Järbyn between 1994 and 2010.
An event in military patrol, a precursor sport to biathlon, was held at the 1924 Winter Olympics without Swedish participation. Biathlon arrived as its own sport at the 1960 Winter Olympics. Sweden participated then and has continued to do so ever since.
There was only one biathlon event in the 1960 Winter Olympics. Klas Lestander won the gold in that event, men's individual, and thus won Sweden's first gold in biathlon.
Bobsleigh has been included in the Olympic programme since the inaugural 1924 Winter Olympics, with the exception of the 1960 Games. Sweden first participated in the sport in 1952 and has participated several times since then.
Cross-country skiing has been included in the Olympic programme since the inaugural 1924 Winter Olympics. Sweden has participated in the sport every time it has been included in the programme and has even participated in every event held in the sport.
The Swedish cross-country skiers with most Olympic medals are Sixten Jernberg (4 gold, 3 silver, 2 bronze) and Charlotte Kalla (3 gold, 6 silver). Gunde Svan (4 gold, 1 silver, 1 bronze) and Thomas Wassberg (4 gold) have also won four Olympic titles in cross-country skiing.
The Swedish athlete with most participations in the sport is Torgny Mogren who participated in 5 Olympic Games between 1984 and 1998.
Curling was included in the Olympic programme during the inaugural 1924 Winter Olympics. It didn't return until 1998, but has remained in the Games since then. Sweden has participated in the sport every time it has been included in the programme.
Niklas Edin (1 gold, 1 silver, 1 bronze) and Oskar Eriksson (1 gold, 1 silver, 2 bronze) are the most successful male Swedish curlers. They are also the Swedish curlers with most Olympic participations in the sport; they participated together in four Olympic Games between 2010 and 2022.
Figure skating was first included in the Olympic programme in the 1908 and 1920 Summer Olympics. It was moved to the Winter Olympics with the inaugural 1924 Winter Olympics and has been included in every Winter Olympic Games. Sweden did participate in the sport in its inaugural 1908 competitions and has participated most times since then.
Sweden's most successful athlete in the sport was Gillis Grafström who won gold in men's singles in 1920, 1924 and 1928 and silver in the same discipline in 1932. He's the only figure skater with four medals in the same event.[8] He's also the Swedish figure skater with most Olympic participations in the sport with those four.
Freestyle skiing has been included in the Olympic programme since 1992. Sweden has participated in the sport in every time it has been included in the Olympic programme.
Ice hockey was first included in the Olympic programme in the 1920 Summer Olympics. It was moved to the Winter Olympics with the inaugural 1924 Winter Olympics and has been included in every Winter Olympic Games.
Luge has been included in the Olympic programme since 1964. Sweden first participated in the sport in 1968 and has participated several times since then.
Nordic combined has been included in the Olympic programme since the inaugural 1924 Winter Games. Sweden participated in the inaugural games and participated many times in the beginning but they have not participated in the sport since the 1972 Games.
Snowboarding has been included in the Olympic programme since 1998. Sweden has participated in the sport in every time it has been included in the Olympic programme.
Speed skating has been included in the Olympic programme since the inaugural 1924 Winter Olympics. Sweden has participated in the sport every Winter Olympic Games except for 1998.
The most successful Swedish speed skater is Tomas Gustafson (3 gold, 1 silver). He won gold in men's 5000m in 1984 and 1988 and gold in men's 10000m in 1988 and silver in the same event in 1984.
Art competitions held at Summer Olympics between 1912 and 1948, and the 1906 Intercalated Games are no longer recognized as official Olympic medal competitions by the IOC.
Sweden won 2 gold and 2 bronze medals in art competitions, and 2 gold, 5 silver and 7 bronze medals at the Intercalated Games.
The 1912 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the V Olympiad and commonly known as Stockholm 1912, were an international multi-sport event held in Stockholm, Sweden, between 6 July and 22 July 1912. The opening ceremony was held on 6 July.
Australia has sent athletes to every Summer Olympic Games, as well as every Winter Olympics except 1924–32 and 1948. In 1908 and 1912 Australia competed with New Zealand under the name Australasia.
The United States of America has sent athletes to every celebration of the modern Summer Olympic Games with the exception of the 1980 Summer Olympics, during which it led a boycott in protest of the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. The United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC) is the National Olympic Committee for the United States.
Hungary first participated at the Olympic Games at the inaugural 1896 Games, and has sent athletes to compete in most Summer Olympic Games and every Winter Olympic Games since then. The nation was not invited to the 1920 Games for its role in World War I, and was part of the Soviet-led boycott of the 1984 Summer Olympics.
The United Kingdom has been represented at every modern Olympic Games. By end of the 2024 Summer Olympics, it is third in the all-time Summer Olympic medal table by overall number of medals, and fourth in number of gold medals won. London hosted the Summer Olympic Games in 1908, 1948 and 2012.
Italy has sent athletes to most of the modern Olympic Games held since 1896, outside of not having officially participated in the 1904 Summer Olympics.
Denmark first participated at the Olympic Games at the inaugural 1896 Games, and has sent athletes to compete in every Summer Olympic Games since then, except for the sparsely attended 1904 Games. Denmark has also participated in the Winter Olympic Games several times since 1948, including every Games since 1988.
Canada has competed at 28 Summer Olympic Games, missing only the inaugural 1896 Summer Olympics and the boycotted 1980 Summer Olympics. This count includes the 1906 Olympic Games, deemed unofficial 43 years after they were held. The nation made its debut at the 1900 Summer Olympics. Canada competes under the IOC country code CAN.
Great Britain, represented by the British Olympic Association (BOA), competed at the 1920 Summer Olympics in Antwerp, Belgium. 234 competitors, 218 men and 16 women, took part in 84 events in 21 sports. British athletes won fourteen gold medals and 43 medals overall, finishing third. It would be the last Olympic Games in which Irish athletes participated for Great Britain, after foundation of Irish Free State in 1922.
Sweden competed at the 1920 Summer Olympics in Antwerp, Belgium. 260 competitors, 247 men and 13 women, took part in 100 events in 18 sports.
The United States competed at the 1920 Summer Olympics in Antwerp, Belgium. 288 competitors, 274 men and 14 women, took part in 113 events in 18 sports.
Finland first participated at the Olympic Games in 1908 and has sent athletes to compete in every Summer Olympic Games and every Winter Olympic Games since then. Finland was also the host nation for the 1952 Summer Olympics in Helsinki. Finnish athletes have won a total of 305 medals at the Summer Games, mostly in athletics and wrestling. Finland has also won 175 medals at the Winter Games, mostly in nordic skiing events.
Estonia first competed as a nation at the 1920 Summer Olympics, two years after the country declared independence from the then warring Russian and German Empires in 1918. The Estonian National Olympic Committee was established in 1923. The first Winter Olympics for independent Estonia were the 1928 Winter Olympics. Estonian athletes took part in the Olympic Games until the country was invaded and occupied by the Soviet Union in 1940. The 1980 Summer Olympics sailing regatta was held in Tallinn, Soviet-occupied Estonia. Since the end of the Soviet occupation in 1991, Estonia has participated in all Olympics. Estonia has won most of its medals in wrestling (11), weightlifting (7), cross-country skiing (7) and athletics (6).
New Zealand first sent an independent team to the Olympics in 1920. Before this, at the 1908 and 1912 Summer Olympics, New Zealand and Australian athletes competed together in a combined Australasia team. New Zealand has also participated in most Winter Olympic Games since 1952, missing only the 1956 and 1964 Games.
Athletes from Iceland first participated at the Olympic Games in 1908.
Great Britain competed at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China. The United Kingdom was represented by the British Olympic Association (BOA), and the team of selected athletes was officially known as Team GB. Britain is one of only five NOCs to have competed in every modern Summer Olympic Games since 1896. The delegation of 547 people included 311 competitors – 168 men, 143 women – and 236 officials. The team was made up of athletes from the whole United Kingdom including Northern Ireland. Additionally some British overseas territories compete separately from Britain in Olympic competition.
The 4 × 100 metres relay at the Summer Olympics is the shortest track relay event held at the multi-sport event. The men's relay has been present on the Olympic athletics programme since 1912 and the women's event has been continuously held since the 1928 Olympic Games in Amsterdam. It is the most prestigious 4×100 m relay race at elite level.
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