Afghanistan at the Olympics

Afghanistan has taken part in 16 Summer Olympic Games since it first joined in 1936. The country has never been in the Winter Olympic Games. After its first appearance, Afghanistan sent athletes to 14 of the next 19 Summer Games. This effort is managed by the National Olympic Committee of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.

Right now, the Committee is based far away from Afghanistan and is led by Hafizullah Wali Rahimi. The International Olympic Committee does not accept the Committee led by Ahmadullah Wasiq, which is connected to the Taliban. Because of this, the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan is not allowed to take part in the Olympics.

History

Afghanistan first joined the Summer Olympics in 1936 at the Berlin Games. They sent athletes to many Summer Games since then, but have never competed in the Winter Olympics.

In 1948, Afghanistan sent 31 athletes to the London Games, the most they have ever sent. They played field hockey and football. In later years, Afghanistan sometimes sent fewer athletes. For example, in 1996, only two athletes went to the Atlanta Games.

Afghanistan won its first Olympic medals in 2008 and 2012, both bronze medals in taekwondo by Rohullah Nikpai. In 2024, Afghanistan planned to send six athletes, both men and women, though there were challenges with the country's political situation.

Medal tables

See also: All-time Olympic Games medal table

Medals by Summer Games

Medals by summer sport

Note: Afghanistan was not allowed to join the Olympics in 2000 because of unfair treatment of women at that time.

Games	Athletes	Gold	Silver	Bronze	Total	Rank
1936 Berlin	19	0	0	0	0	–
1948 London	31	0	0	0	0	–
1952 Helsinki	did not participate
1956 Melbourne	12	0	0	0	0	–
1960 Rome	18	0	0	0	0	–
1964 Tokyo	8	0	0	0	0	–
1968 Mexico City	5	0	0	0	0	–
1972 Munich	8	0	0	0	0	–
1976 Montreal	did not participate
1980 Moscow	11	0	0	0	0	–
1984 Los Angeles	Boycotted
1988 Seoul	5	0	0	0	0	–
1992 Barcelona	did not participate
1996 Atlanta	2	0	0	0	0	–
2000 Sydney	banned from participating
2004 Athens	5	0	0	0	0	–
2008 Beijing	4	0	0	1	1	82
2012 London	6	0	0	1	1	79
2016 Rio de Janeiro	3	0	0	0	0	–
2020 Tokyo	5	0	0	0	0	–
2024 Paris	6	0	0	0	0	–
2028 Los Angeles	future event
2032 Brisbane
Total		0	0	2	2	148

Sport	Gold	Silver	Bronze	Total
Taekwondo	0	0	2	2
Totals (1 entries)	0	0	2	2

List of medalists

Medal	Name	Games	Sport	Event
Bronze	Rohullah Nikpai	2008 Beijing	Taekwondo	Men's 58 kg
Bronze		2012 London	Taekwondo	Men's 68 kg