10) Cambodia (Population - 14,701,717)
The Southeast Asian Kingdom of Cambodia has had a spotty participation record in the summer Olympics. London will serve as their eighth time in the field despite their first appearance coming all the way back in 1956.
9) Malawi (Population - 15,879,252)
Malawi had hopes for a medal in Beijing when swimmer Charlton Nyirenda won his heat in the Men's 50m, but he fell well short of the full field. He'll return to the pool in London, but isn't expected to be in the hunt for a medal.
8) Burkina Faso (Population - 16,751,455)
Debuting in 1972 as Upper Volta and then re-emerging in 1988, Burkina Faso has sent a delegation to seven Olympic games. In 2008, Burkinabe runner Aissata Soulama reached the semi-finals in the Women's 400m Hurdles.
7) Angola - (Population - 18,498,000)
With strong roots in basketball and handball the African nation of Angola will look to bring home their first Olympic medal in their eighth trip to the games.
6) Madagascar - (Population - 21,926,221)
Madagascar can claim one of the longer streaks without having won an Olympic medal with ten appearances at the summer games under their belt. Their best shot at taking home an Olympic prize came in the 2000 when they sent 10 athletes, including seven track and field participants, to Sydney.
5) Yemen (Population: 24,133,492)
Despite having had track and field athletes in every Olympiad since their debut in 1984, Yemen will have no such representation in London. The country has never placed within reasonable striking distance of a medal.
4) Nepal (Population - 29,391,883)
Nepal has the dubious designation as the most populous nation to compete in both the winter and summer games and still be medal-less. Many Nepalese would probably be quick to point out that they do have one bronze medal. Unfortunately it came in taekwondo at the Seoul Olympics, when that sport was still only in exhibition.
3) Myanmar (Population - 53,999,804)
The beleaguered nation first participated as Myanmar in 1992 after 40 years of flying the Burmese flag at the Olympics. Since then the Republic of the Union of Myanmar or the Union of Burma, depending on who you ask, has not added a single medal to their tally.
2) Democratic Republic of Congo (Population - 71,712,867)
In their eight total Olympic appearances the DRoC has sent over 60 ultimately futile participants to the summer games. Historically their best showings have come in track events.
1) Bangladesh (Population - 158,570,535)
Making their first Olympic appearance in 1984 after boycotting the Moscow games in 1980, Bangladesh is the most populous country to never win an Olympic medal. One of the most densely populated nations in the world, Bangladesh is comprised of 55,813 square miles, which means it's 158 million people share a country roughly the same size as Iowa.
0 comments:
Post a Comment