Countries with no medals
Libya’s Ahmed Yousef Elkawiseh, in blue, reacts after losing against Uzbekistan’s Mirzahid Farmonov during the men’s 66kg judo event at the London 2012 Olympic Games. (Johannes Eisele / AFP/Getty Images)
There are at least 80 countries at these Olympics that have never won a medal. We take a look at why they still come back, only to finish last in many competitions.
Libya’s flag bearer, El-Gadi Sofyan, leads his delegation during the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games. (Gabriel Bouys / AFP / Getty Images)
Monaco’s flag bearer, Angelique Trinquier, leads her delegation during the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games. Monaco has participated in 26 Olympic Games. (Gabriel Bouys / AFP/Getty Images)
Bolivia’s flag bearer, Karen Milenka Torrez Guzman, leads her delegation during the opening ceremony. Bolivia has sent athletes to 17 Games. (Gabriel Bouys / AFP/Getty Images)
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Flag bearer Josateki Naulu leads the Fiji delegation during the opening ceremony. Fiji has been to 15 Olympic Games. (Olivier Morin / AFP/Getty Images)
Military personnel hoist the Nepal national flag during the flag-raising ceremony at the Olympic village in London, two days before the start of the 2012 Games. Nepal has sent delegates to 14 Games. (Saeed Khan / AFP/Getty Images)
Members of the Guatemala Olympic team gather for a group photo at the Athletes’ Village at the Olympic Park in London. Guatemala has sent athletes to the games 13 times. (Jae C. Hong / Associated Press)
Nicaragua’s flag bearer, Osmar Bravo Amador, leads his team during the opening ceremony. Nicaragua has appeared in 10 Olympic Games. (Christophe Simon / AFP/Getty Images)
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A man ties a giant Jordanian flag onto the side of a building in the Olympic Village three days before the start of the London Games. Jordan has appeared at eight Olympic Games. (John MacDougall / AFP/Getty Images)
Flag bearer Davin Sorn leads the Cambodian delegation during the opening ceremony. Cambodia has sent athletes to the Olympics seven times. (Christophe Simon / AFP/Getty Images)
Athletes Mohamed Hassan Mohamed, left, and Zamzam Farah prepare to board an airplane from Mogadishu to London. The Somali athletes prepared for competition in the war-torn country’s training facilities, which still bear bullet holes from conflict. (Mohamed Abdiwahab / AFP/Getty Images)