Democratic Republic of the Congo (COD)

Overview

NOCComité Olympique Congolais
Flagbearers26

Participants

Olympic Games 75
Youth Olympic Games 25

Description

This nation was formerly known as the Belgian Congo, but changed its name to the Democratic Republic of the Congo upon independence in June 1960. In October 1971, the name was changed to Zaire, but in May 1997, the nation took back the name to Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The National Olympic Committee was formed on 28 November 1963 and recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in 1968. As the Democratic Republic of the Congo, it was represented by five cyclists at the Mexico City Olympics in 1968. The nation’s second Olympic appearance came 16 years later in Los Angeles as Zaire, where it was represented by three track & field athletes – two men and a woman – and six boxers. Zaire also competed in 1988, 1992, and 1996.

The country never competed in the Olympics as the Belgian Congo, and competed as the Democratic Republic of the Congo again in 2000, 2004, 2008, and 2012. It is also often referred to as Congo (Kinshasa) to differentiate it from the People’s Republic of the Congo, which is then called Congo (Brazzaville). No athlete from this variantly-named nation has yet won an Olympic medal.

It is difficult to describe the “best” performance by a Kinshasan Olympian. Four boxers have placed equal ninth, but two won only one match, and the other two won none, advancing by walkover or losing the first bout. The 1976 women’s basketball team placed 12th, but that was last place. The best performance probably occurred in 1996 when Willy Kalombo placed 16th in the men’s marathon, from 124 starters.

Participations by edition

Olympic Games

Edition As Men Women Total
1968 Summer Olympics Democratic Republic of the Congo 5 0 5 Results
1984 Summer Olympics Zaire 7 1 8 Results
1988 Summer Olympics Zaire 13 2 15 Results
1992 Summer Olympics Zaire 15 2 17 Results
1996 Summer Olympics Zaire 2 12 14 Results
2000 Summer Olympics Democratic Republic of the Congo 1 1 2 Results
2004 Summer Olympics Democratic Republic of the Congo 3 1 4 Results
2008 Summer Olympics Democratic Republic of the Congo 4 1 5 Results
2012 Summer Olympics Democratic Republic of the Congo 3 1 4 Results
2016 Summer Olympics Democratic Republic of the Congo 2 2 4 Results
2020 Summer Olympics Democratic Republic of the Congo 3 3 6 Results

Youth Olympic Games

Edition As Men Women Total
2010 Summer Youth Olympics Democratic Republic of the Congo 14 2 16 Results
2014 Summer Youth Olympics Democratic Republic of the Congo 2 2 4 Results
2018 Summer Youth Olympics Democratic Republic of the Congo 1 4 5 Results

Participations by discipline

Olympic Games

Discipline (Sport) Men Women Total
Athletics 13 8 21 Results
Basketball (Basketball) 0 12 12 Results
Boxing 16 2 18 Results
Cycling Road (Cycling) 10 0 10 Results
Judo 9 1 10 Results
Swimming (Aquatics) 1 0 1 Results
Table Tennis 2 0 2 Results
Taekwondo 0 1 1 Results

Youth Olympic Games

Discipline (Sport) Men Women Total
Athletics 2 2 4 Results
Beach Volleyball (Volleyball) 0 2 2 Results
Fencing 0 1 1 Results
Judo 1 1 2 Results
Swimming (Aquatics) 1 0 1 Results
Taekwondo 1 2 3 Results
Volleyball (Volleyball) 12 0 12 Results

Most successful competitors

Includes medals won as part of mixed teams.

Youth Olympic Games

Athlete Nat Gold Silver Bronze Total
Daryl Lokuku Ngambomo COD 1 0 0 1