African Olympic Power: Top 10 Countries with the Most Gold Medals | The African Gourmet
Home › Explore Africa › African Sports
African Olympic Power: Top 10 Countries with the Most Gold Medals
From Kenya's dominant distance runners to South Africa's swimming champions, African nations have consistently punched above their weight at the Summer Olympics. Discover which countries lead the continent in gold medal achievements through the 2020 Tokyo Games.
Gold Olympic Medals Africa — Symbols of African Excellence
Africa's Olympic Journey
Africa’s Olympic story began in 1904, and ever since, the continent has produced some of the most inspiring athletes in the world. From the first African medalists to the Refugee Olympic Team of 2016, Africa’s contribution to the Olympic movement continues to grow each Games.
Top Ten African Olympic Nations (Through 2020 Tokyo Games)
| African Country | Gold | Silver | Bronze | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya | 35 | 42 | 36 | 113 |
| South Africa | 27 | 33 | 29 | 89 |
| Ethiopia | 23 | 12 | 23 | 58 |
| Egypt | 8 | 11 | 19 | 38 |
| Morocco | 7 | 5 | 12 | 24 |
| Algeria | 5 | 4 | 8 | 17 |
| Nigeria | 3 | 11 | 13 | 27 |
| Tunisia | 5 | 3 | 7 | 15 |
| Zimbabwe | 3 | 4 | 1 | 8 |
| Cameroon | 3 | 1 | 2 | 6 |
📊 Updated through the 2020 Tokyo Olympics — next update coming soon after the 2028 Los Angeles Games.
Tirunesh Dibaba, Ethiopian long-distance legend with three Olympic gold medals
Notable African Olympic Achievements
Kenya’s Distance Running Dynasty
Kenya leads African nations with 35 gold medals, primarily in middle and long-distance running. Icons like Kipchoge Keino, David Rudisha, and Eliud Kipchoge have shaped Kenya’s Olympic story of endurance and excellence.
South Africa’s Diverse Excellence
South Africa has excelled across multiple sports — swimming, athletics, rugby, and rowing. Gold medalists like Penny Heyns and Wayde van Niekerk reflect the nation’s deep sporting diversity.
Ethiopia’s Endurance Legacy
Ethiopia’s 23 gold medals showcase the power of endurance. Haile Gebrselassie, Kenenisa Bekele, and Tirunesh Dibaba dominate the 5,000m, 10,000m, and marathon events with unmatched grace and grit.
Looking Ahead: Paris 2024 and Beyond
African nations continue to produce world-class talent in athletics, swimming, boxing, and beyond. Stars like Joshua Cheptegei (Uganda) and Hugues Fabrice Zango (Burkina Faso) are already shaping the future of the continent’s Olympic success.
Historic Moments: The Refugee Olympic Team
The 2016 Rio Games saw the first-ever Refugee Olympic Team, including athletes from South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Ethiopia. Their participation symbolized resilience, courage, and hope for displaced people worldwide.
Yolande Mabika, judoka from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Refugee Olympic Team member at Rio 2016
“Being a refugee doesn't mean you are not a human being. I want to show the world that refugees can do anything.”
Kenya’s Olympic Medal History by Games
| Olympic Games | Gold | Silver | Bronze | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tokyo 2020 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 10 |
| Rio 2016 | 6 | 6 | 1 | 13 |
| London 2012 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 11 |
| Beijing 2008 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 14 |
| Athens 2004 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 7 |
| Sydney 2000 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 7 |
| Atlanta 1996 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 8 |
| Barcelona 1992 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 8 |
| Seoul 1988 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 9 |
| Los Angeles 1984 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 |
| Moscow 1980 | Boycotted | - | - | - |
| Montreal 1976 | Boycotted | - | - | - |
| Munich 1972 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 9 |
| Mexico 1968 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 9 |
| Tokyo 1964 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
Stats current through the Tokyo 2020 Games. Updates will be added after the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Explore more about African sports achievements in our African Sports Hub and follow emerging stars heading into the next Olympic cycle.
