Barbados at the Olympics
Barbados is a relatively small island country but they have been part of the Olympics since the 1960 Summer Games in Rome. At first, Barbados was part of the British West Indies delegation in 1960, joining athletes from Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago.
They did participate in the Summer Games as an independent nation starting 1968 when they sent nine athletes to Mexico City, Mexico. From that point on, they have consistently participated in the Summer Games except when they chose to join the American-led boycott of the 1980 Summer Games held in Moscow, Russia.
In 1960, when Barbados was part of the British West Indies delegation, James Wedderburn, a Barbadian-born athlete was one of the four-man relay team in the 400 meters who won the bronze as well. But since Barbados was part of the BWI then, it was not officially added to the Olympic medal count of the country.
Despite its consistent determination, Barbados has never won an Olympic medal until September 2000 when Obadele Thompson took the bronze medal in the men’s 100 meters (athletics) in Sydney, Australia.
As with most Caribbean countries, Barbados has never competed in the Winter Olympic Games. This is mainly due to the fact that Barbados simply do not have the facilities and resources to adequately train for the Winter Games.
Trivia
- The first Barbadian athlete to win an Olympic Medal was Jim Wedderburn as a member of the West Indies 4 x 400 Relay Team at the 1960 Olympics in Rome.
Related Pages
- West Indies Federation at the Olympics (1960)
- List of all countries that have participated at the Olympic Games.
- About sport in Barbados
Any comments, suggestions, or corrections? Please let us know.
Upcoming Events