Italy at the Olympics


Italy has competed at all but one of the modern Olympic Games. Until 2009 it was believed that Italy did not take part at the 1904 Olympics. It was discovered by Olympic historians later on that cyclist Frank Bizzoni, believed to be an American national, was still an Italian citizen at the time of the games. However, the IOC does not officially recognize Italy’s participation in the 1904 Olympics, considering that there were only 12 participating nations.
Italy has taken part in all the Winter Olympic Games, winning 124 medals, and 577 medals at the Summer Olympic Games. Italy has won a total of 246 gold medals which makes them the 6th most successful country in Olympic history, after the USA, the Soviet Union, Germany, Great Britain and France. Italy has the sixth highest medal total of all time with 701.
The Italian National Olympic Committee was created in 1908 and recognised in 1913. The Italian Olympic Team has also competed in the Mediterranean Games where they have won a total of 1,786 medals, the most in the games' history. As of 2016 they are the most successful nation at fencing in Olympic history.

Hosted Games

Italy has hosted the Games on three occasions.
GamesHost cityDatesNationsParticipantsEvents
1956 Winter OlympicsCortina d'Ampezzo26 January – 5 February3282124
1960 Summer OlympicsRome25 August11 September835,338150
2006 Winter OlympicsTurin10 – 26 February802,50884
2026 Winter OlympicsMilan-Cortina d'Ampezzo6 – 22 FebruaryTBDTBDTBD

Medal tables

According to the official count of the International Olympic Committee, Italy has won 577 medals at Summer Olympics.
In the Summer Olympic Games, Italy has finished 2nd in 1932, 3rd in 1960, 4th in 1936, and 5th in 1924, 1928, 1948, 1952, 1956, 1964, 1980 and 1984. In the Winter Olympic Games, Italy has finished 4th in 1968 and 1994, and 6th in 1952 and 1992.
Italy ranks 1st all-time in fencing, 2nd in cycling, 3rd in luge, 4th in boxing and shooting, 5th in alpine skiing, and 6th in bobsled, cross-country skiing and short track speed skating.

Medals by Summer Games

Medals by Winter Games

Medals by summer sport

Medals by winter sport

Partecip.AthleteBornEditionPeriod
SportTot.
8Piero D'Inzeo19231948/197628 years 0246
8Raimondo D'Inzeo19251948/197628 years 1236
8Josefa Idem19641984/201228 years 1225
7Giovanni Pellielo19701992/201624 years 0314
6Angelo Mazzoni19611980/200020 years 2013
6Andrea Benelli19601988/200820 years 1012
6Ilario Di Buò19651984/200820 years 0202
6Wilfried Huber19701988/200618 years 1001
6Alessandra Sensini19701992/201220 years 1124
6Gerda Weissensteiner19691988/200618 years & 1012
6Armin Zöggeler19741994/201429 years 2136

Notes: in pink color the women athletes.

Athletes with most medals

The Italian athlete who won the most medals in the history of the Olympic Games, is the fencer Edoardo Mangiarotti.
AthleteSportGamesTotal
Edoardo Mangiarotti1936–1948–1952–1956–196065213
Stefania Belmondo1992–1994–1998–200223510
Valentina Vezzali1996–2000–2004–2008–20126129
Giulio Gaudini1928–1932–19363429
Giovanna Trillini1992–1996–2000–2004–20084138
Arianna Fontana2006–2010–2014–20181258
Gustavo Marzi1928–1932–19362507
Manuela Di Centa1992–1994–19982237
Nedo Nadi1912–19206006
Giuseppe Delfino1952–1956–1960–19644206
Armin Zöggeler1994–1998–2002–2006–2010–20142136
Eugenio Monti1956–1964–19682226
Raimondo D'Inzeo1956–1960–1964–19721236
Piero D'Inzeo1956–1960–1964–19720246
Oreste Puliti1920–1924–19284105
Giorgio Zampori1912–1920–19244015
Gabriella Paruzzi1992–1994–1998–2002–20061045
Klaus Dibiasi1964–1968–1972–19763205
Alberto Tomba1988–1992–19943205
Antonio Rossi1992–1996–2000–20043115
Giancarlo Cornaggia1928–1932–19363115
Manlio Di Rosa1936–1948–1952–19562215
Carlo Massullo1984–1988–19921225
Silvio Fauner1992–1994–19981225
Franco Menichelli1960–19641135
Marco Albarello1992–1994–19981315

Men gold medalist

In this table, the men who have won gold individual medals at the Olympics.
Notes: in Khaki the athletes still in activity. For Cycling was considered for world championships, only professional events.

Women gold medalist

In this table, the women who have won gold individual medals at the Olympics and also at the World Championships.
Updated to 21 February 2020.