Armenia at the Olympics

Prior to the dissolution of the Soviet Union and becoming an independent nation in 1991, Armenian athletes used to participate in the Olympics as representatives of the USSR (Union of Soviet Socialist Republics).   Although the independent National Olympic Committee of Armenia was formed in 1990, it wasn’t recognised by the International Olympic Committee until 1993.  Therefore, in Barcelona in 1992 (the first Summer Olympics to follow the country’s independence), Armenia participated as part of the Unified Team (the sports team of the former Soviet Union, minus the Baltic states).  

Armenia at the Olympics

Armenia’s First Independent Olympic Games

It wasn’t until 1994 that Armenia took part in the Olympics as an independent nation; it was in the Lillehammer Winter Olympic Games in 1994 (the first to be on a separate 4-year cycle from the Summer Olympics).  Two athletes (Joe Almasian and Ken Topalian) attended these Games to represent Armenia in the Two-Man Bobsleigh event, but, unfortunately, they did not bring home any medals for their country (having ranked 36^th, overall).

Armenia’s Summer Olympics Record

Since the country’s first independent Olympic entry, Armenia has attended 5 Summer Olympic Games: Atlanta in 1996, Sydney in 2000, Athens in 2004, Beijing in 2008 and London in 2012. 

In 1996, 32 athletes attended the Atlanta Olympic Games for Armenia, with Armen Nazaryan and Armen Mrktchyan bringing home a Gold and a Silver medal, respectively, in wrestling.

In 2000, 25 athletes attended the Sydney Olympic Games for Armenia, with Arsen Melikyan bringing home a Bronze medal for weightlifting.

In 2004, only 19 athletes attended the Athens Olympic Games, with, sadly, no medals won.

In 2008, 25 athletes attended the Beijing Olympic Games for Armenia, with Tigran Gevorg Martirosyan and Gevorg Davtyan bringing home three Bronze medals for weightlifting, Roman Amoyan and Yury Patrikeyev bringing home two Bronze medals for wrestling and Hrachik Javakhyan bringing home a Bronze medal for boxing.

Finally, in 2012, 25 athletes attended the London Olympic Games for Armenia, with Arsen Julfalakyan bringing home a Silver medal for wrestling, Atur Aleksanyan bringing home a Bronze medal also for wrestling and Hripsime Khurshudyan bringing home a Bronze medal for weightlifting. 

Overall, for a country with a relatively small population, Armenia send quite a number of athletes to each Summer Olympics and do relatively well in terms of medal haul.

Armenia and the Winter Olympics

Unfortunately, the same praise cannot be given to Armenia’s performance in each Winter Olympics.  Since Lillehammer in 1994, Armenia has attended four Winter Olympic Games: Nagano in 1998, Salt Lake City in 2002, Turin in 2006 and Vancouver in 2010.  However, despite sending as many as nine athletes to the Salt Lake City Winter Olympics, no medals were won.

Although, with the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi upon us, who knows what Armenia might attain!  I think we all need to watch this space....