Albania first joined the Summer Olympics in 1972 sending a five athlete delegation that included Fatos Pilkati and Afërdita Tusha for the 50m free pistol event, Ismail Rama and Beqir Kosova for the 50m rifle prone event, and Ymer Pampuri for weightlifting (60 kgs. division) to Munich, Germany.
Due to various international issues, Albania missed the next four Summer Games that included the 1980 and 1984 boycotts. In 1992, they returned to the Summer Games by sending seven athletes to Barcelona, Spain. Alma Qeramixhi represented the country in heptathlon, Kristo Robo (25m rapid fire pistol), Enkelejda Shehu (25m pistol), Frank Leskaj (50m and 100m freestyle and 100m breaststroke), Sokol Bishanaku and Fatmir Bushi (67.5 kgs.) and Dede Dekaj (110kg) in weightlifting.
Since 1992, Albania have sent athletes to the Summer Olympics and in 2006, Albania sent Erjon Tola to represent the country for Alpine Skiing in the Winter Olympics held in Turin, Italy. He is the sole representative for Albania for two Winter Games but in 2014 Winter Games held in Sochi, Russia, he was joined by fellow Alpine skier and first female Albanian Winter Olympian Suela Mëhilli. Tola actually withdrew because of a broken arm, while Mëhilli placed 60th overall.
Related Pages
- Albania at the Winter Olympics
- List of all countries that have participated at the Olympic Games.
- About sport in Albania