Chile

Highlights

Chile's first gold medals came in the space of less than 24 hours at the Athens 2004 Olympic Games.

On the tennis court, Nicolas MASSU and Fernando GONZALEZ won the men's doubles. Less than a day later, MASSU was back on court for the men's singles final, which he also won, and GONZALEZ took bronze.

In Beijing, he carried the Chilean flag and also reached the men's singles final, which he lost to Rafael Nadal. Chile have a long and proud Olympic history, and claim to have had a competitor at the first Olympic Games in Athens in 1896.

Luis SUBERCASEAUX ERRRAZURIX appears in entry lists for athletics and cycling, but no one is sure whether he attended.

Although the National Olympic Committee was not yet recognised by the IOC, Chile sent a team of 14 to the Stockholm 1912 Olympic Games to compete in athletics, cycling, equestrian and shooting.

Marathon runner Manuel PLAZA took the silver medal, the country's first, at the Amsterdam 1928 Olympic Games. Rider Oscar CRISTI took silver in the individual showjumping at the Helsinki 1952 Olympic Games and helped his country to the silver medal in the team event.

Marlene AHRENS was the first Chilean woman to claim a medal. She took silver in the javelin at the Melbourne 1956 Olympic Games. She also carried her country's flag, the only female flagbearer that year, and did so again in 1960.

Three boxers won medals at the 1956 Games but Chile did not win another Olympic medal until the Seoul 1988 Olympic Games when Alfonso de IRRUARIZZAGA collected a silver in shooting (skeet).

Chile took the bronze in men's football at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games and also at the Athens 2004 Olympic Games.

Anthem: Title

Dulce Patria, recibe los votos (Dear Homeland, Accept Our Devotion)

Anthem: Year of Induction

1941

Anthem: Composer

Music Ramón CARNICER Y BATTLE, words Eusebio LILLO ROBLES and Bernardo de VERA Y PINTADO.

Official NOC name

Chile

IOC recognition date

1934

NOC President's name

Mr Neven Ivan ILIC ALVAREZ

NOC General Secretary's name

Mr Juan Carlos CARDENAS GUEUDINOT

Year of first appearance in an Olympic Games

1896

Number of appearances in Olympic Games

22, including London 2012

Summary of Olympic Games Appearances