Czech Republic

The Czech Republic was founded on 21 December 1992 and the new National Olympic Committee was provisionally recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on 16 March 1993. In September of the same year full recognition followed at the IOC session in Monaco. Formerly a part of Czechoslovakia, the Czech Republic has been represented at the Olympics by many athletes. However, the Czech Republic did not compete officially at the Olympics as an independent nation until its appearance at Lillehammer for the 1994 Olympic Winter Games. The Czech Republic has since competed at the 1996, 2000, 2004, 2008, and 2012 Olympic Games and the 1998, 2002, 2006, 2010, and 2014 Olympic Winter Games. As an independent nation, the Czech Republic has won 78 medals, including 22 gold medals, with 54 Summer Olympic medals (15 gold), and 24 Winter Olympic medals (7 gold). Kateřina Neumannová has won the most medals by any Czech Republic athlete, with six in cross-country skiing between 1992-2006. Neumannová also competed in cycling at the 1996 Summer Olympics. The most successful athlete is Martina Sáblíková who won three gold, one silver, and one bronze in speed skating in 2010 and 2014. Four other Czech Republic athletes have won two gold medals.