Venezuela

Highlights

Boxer Francisco RODRIGUEZ remains Venezuela's only Olympic champion to date.

He won light flyweight gold at the Mexico 1968 Olympic Games.

The majority of Venezuela's medals have come in boxing and other combat sports. Cyclist Julio Cesar LEON was Venezuela's first Olympian. He finished 14th in the 1,000m time trial and also competed in the sprint.

Triple jumper Asnoldo DEVONISH was the first man to claim an Olympic medal for Venezuela. He took bronze at the Helsinki 1952 Olympic Games. Shooter Enrico FORCELLA was 52 when he made his Olympic debut at the Rome 1960 Olympic Games.

He took bronze in the prone rifle shooting and competed twice more at the Olympic Games, in 1964 and 1968.

Adriana CARMONA was the first woman to claim a medal for Venezuela. She took women's heavyweight bronze in taekwondo in Athens in 2004 and competed in the first three Olympic tournaments. She also participated when the sport was staged as a demonstration sport at the Barcelona 1992 Games.

Venezuela sent 108 competitors to Beijiing 2008. They took part in 21 sports and constituted the nation's biggest Olympic team to date.

Their only medallist was Dalia CONTRERAS, who took bronze in women's lightweight taekwondo.

Anthem: Title

Gloria al Bravo Pueblo (Glory to the Brave Nation)

Anthem: Year of Induction

1881

Anthem: Composer

Music Juan José LANDAETA, words Vicente SALIAS.

Official NOC name

Venezuela

IOC recognition date

1935

NOC President's name

Professor Eduardo ALVAREZ CAMACHO

IOC Member's Name

Ms Flor ISAVA FONSECA (Honorary)

Year of first appearance in an Olympic Games

1948

Number of appearances in Olympic Games

17, including London 2012

Summary of Olympic Games Appearances