Supporting Small and Exotic Nations at the Summer Olympic Games 2016

[JoshMartini007 2,765]

For my first choice I will do Angola

[Henry_Leon 1,587]

PANAMA

 

and 2nd HONDURAS 

 

[JoshMartini007 2,765]

Angola - A Brief Olympic History

 

Angola is a nation located in southern Africa. It gained its independence from Portuguese rule on November 11th 1975. The Angolan Olympic Committee was established on February 17th 1979 and was recognized by the International Olympic Committee in the following year. Angola made its Olympic debut during the 1980 Summer Olympic Games. It participated in the Soviet led boycott during the 1984 games, but has since then participated at every Summer Olympic Games. Angola has yet to make its debut to the Winter Olympic Games. Currently the nation has yet to win an Olympic medal.

 

Despite the lack of medals Angola has had a long history in participating in team sports, most notably men’s basketball and women’s handball. The men’s basketball team made its first Olympic appearance in 1992 and has been one of the dominant forces within the continent. They appeared in every Olympic tournament until missing out in 2012 however, Angola had representation as the women’s basketball team qualified that year. 2016 may be the first time since their debut in the sport that Angola will be absent from basketball as the men’s team will have to qualify through a secondary path after the team lost to Nigeria in the final of AfroBasket 2015.

 

The women’s handball team first qualified at the 1996 Olympics and has participated ever since, including already being qualified to the 2016 Olympics. The team is a powerhouse in Africa where they have medaled at each African championship since 1989. Internationally they also do well, finishing in the top 16 at every world championship since 2005, including two quarter-final appearances.

 

Looking outside of team sports Angola has participated in athletics and swimming at every Olympics. Typically the athletes never make it past the heat round. Angola’s most accomplished Olympian was Joao N’Tyamba whom competed for his nation in athletics for six Olympics from 1988-2008. His early Olympics had him running the 800m before he expanded to the 1500m before settling on the marathon where he finished 17th in 2000. He was the flag bearer for his nation twice, at his first and last Olympics. Swimmer Nadia Cruz was also a well accomplished athlete as she participated in four Olympics from 1988-2000 where she competed in the breaststroke.

 

During the early Olympics Angola was often seen participating in boxing and to an extent judo. With stricter qualification rules the number of combat athletes for the nation has dropped considerably though the nation has competed in judo with Antonia Moreira in 2004 and 2012. Moreira will also be looking to qualify again in 2016. Other sports Angola has competed in its history include beach volleyball, canoeing, sailing and shooting.

[Wanderer 1,738]

Tried to put the flags of all countries I am going to support wholeheartedly in Rio and got this amazing avatar

 

[heywoodu 16,004]

6 minutes ago, Wanderer said:

Tried to put the flags of all countries I am going to support wholeheartedly in Rio and good this amazing avatar

 

[olympic2016 0]

It's very hard.. but still I will support below.

 

 Bhutan

 Maldives

 Mauritius

[JoshMartini007 2,765]

If anyone wants to look at the athletes which participated in your chosen nation's history you can check out sports reference.

[OlympicIRL 5,660]

3 minutes ago, JoshMartini007 said:

If anyone wants to look at the athletes which participated in your chosen nation's history you can check out sports reference.

 

Our very own Dragon is a contributor there

[intoronto 6,408]

I will choose  

 

Fun fact: my parents area from Sri Lanka.

[hckošice 15,520]

1 hour ago, JoshMartini007 said:

If anyone wants to look at the athletes which participated in your chosen nation's history you can check out sports reference.

 

Great statistics.

 

Always a bit sad and nostalgic when I see somewhere Czechoslovakia, we were so strong together really pitty that the count ended at 49 golds so ugly number, only 1 more gold missed to make the 50