Sport in Georgia
Georgia was once part of the Soviet Union, and did not compete in world sport under its own name until the 1990s. Georgia is a located right in the crossroad between Eastern Europe and Western Asia and is bordered by Russia (north), Türkiye (south) and Azerbaijan (southeast). It is part of what used to be the known as the Kingdom of Iberia where physical fitness is quite valued.
Georgian FlagGreco-Roman wrestling has a strong connection to Georgia where wrestling is the traditional sport. Lately though, Georgians have grown fond of more modern sports like rugby union, weightlifting, basketball, judo and football which is currently the most popular sport for most Georgians.
Modern football was introduced to Georgia by English sailors playing in the port of Poti located in the Black Sea.
Georgia loves physically demanding sports and different kinds of wrestling are still practiced all around the country but the most popular is the Kakhetian style. In the 19th century, Georgians also played the sport Lelo Burti that is very similar to rugby union.
Georgia first participated as an independent state in the Olympic Games in 1994 when they joined the Winter Games held in Lillehammer, Norway. But they have been sending athletes to the Olympic Games since 1952 as part of the former Soviet Union. Not surprisingly, Georgia's biggest Olympic medal producers are wrestling and judo.
Below are details of sports, sporting events and sports people related to Georgia. Is there something missing? If you know of something that should be listed here, please let us know.
Popular sports of Georgia
- Football (Soccer), wrestling, rugby union, weightlifting, basketball, judo
Traditional or Regional Sports from Geogria
- Lelo Burti — a full contact team sport that originated during ancient times in Georgia. The sport has a lot of similarities to rugby.
Georgia's Sporting Success
- Georgia made their European Football Championship (Euro) finals debut in 2024.
Great athletes from Georgia
- Boris Paichadze (football)
- Murtaz Khurtsilava (football)
- Aleksandre Chivadze (football)
Georgia Sports trivia
- Georgian football player Murtaz Khurtsilava captained the USSR team and played a crucial role in the 1966 FIFA World Cup.
- A 2–0 victory against Portugal at the 2024 Euros is considered one of the biggest upsets in European Championship history.
Georgia at major events
- Georgia at the Summer Olympics
- Georgia at the Winter Olympics
- Georgia at the FIFA Football World Cup
- Georgia at the Rugby World Cup
Past sporting events hosted in Georgia
Upcoming sporting events in Georgia
Annual sporting events held in Georgia
Sporting Facilities in Georgia
- Boris Paitchadze National Stadium, Tbilisi.
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