Cameroon began its Olympic adventure at the Tokyo Games in 1964 with a small delegation of five athletes. This was the beginning of a long journey marking the country’s commitment to international sports competitions.
Mexico 1968: a modest participation
Four years later, Cameroon sent four athletes to the Mexico Games in 1968. Although modest in terms of numbers, this edition was marked by Cameroon’s first Olympic medal, won by boxer Joseph Bessala in silver.
Munich 1972: a significant increase
In Munich in 1972, the Cameroonian delegation increased to nine athletes, showing a growing involvement in the Olympic Games.
Montreal 1976: the boycott
In 1976, Cameroon, in solidarity with other African nations, boycotted the Montreal Games in protest against the New Zealand rugby team’s tour of South Africa, then under the apartheid regime.
Moscow 1980 and Los Angeles 1984: record participations
The return to Moscow in 1980 saw a record participation of 25 Cameroonian athletes. Although this edition did not bring any notable achievements, the Los Angeles Games in 1984 marked the peak of Cameroonian participation with 46 athletes, the largest contingent ever sent by the country. Martin Ndongo Ebanga saved the honour by winning a bronze medal in boxing.
Seoul 1988 and Barcelona 1992: a consistent presence
The Seoul Games in 1988 and Barcelona in 1992 saw a relatively stable participation of 23 and 22 athletes respectively, demonstrating Cameroon’s continued presence on the Olympic scene.
Atlanta 1996: a notable decline
In Atlanta in 1996, the delegation was reduced to 12 athletes, contrasting with the higher participations of previous editions.
Sydney 2000: a new peak
The Sydney Games in 2000 marked a new peak with 34 Cameroonian athletes, and the national football team won the country’s first gold medal.
Athens 2004, Beijing 2008 and London 2012: stable participation
The Athens Games in 2004 saw 20 Cameroonian athletes, while Beijing 2008 and London 2012 recorded a stable participation with 33 athletes at each edition. During this period, Françoise Mbango won the gold medal in the triple jump twice in a row.
Rio de Janeiro 2016 and Tokyo 2020: a slight drop
In Rio in 2016, Cameroon sent 24 athletes, followed by 12 athletes for the Tokyo Games in 2020. Although these numbers are lower than previous editions, they show continued commitment.
Paris 2024: a new challenge
The Paris 2024 Games see the participation of only six Cameroonian athletes, the lowest number since Tokyo 1964. This participation marks a critical milestone, reflecting current challenges and hopes for Cameroon’s future at the Olympic Games.
From its first steps in Tokyo in 1964 to its current challenges, Cameroon’s Olympic journey bears witness to a history rich in exploits, challenges and hopes for future generations.
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