Bulgaria at the Olympics

Bulgaria first participated at the Olympic Games at the inaugural 1896 Games, with a single gymnast. However, since Charles Champaud was a Swiss national living in Sofia, some sources credit his appearance to Switzerland instead.

Bulgaria at the
Olympics
IOC codeBUL
NOCBulgarian Olympic Committee
Websitewww.bgolympic.org (in Bulgarian and English)
Medals
Gold
52
Silver
89
Bronze
83
Total
224
Summer appearances
Winter appearances

The Bulgarian Olympic Committee was created in 1923 and first sent a team to the Summer Olympic Games in 1924. The nation has participated in every Summer Games since then, except for 1932 (during the Great Depression), 1948 (after World War II), and 1984, when they were part of the Soviet-led boycott of the 1984 Summer Olympics. Bulgaria first participated in the Winter Olympic Games in 1936, and has attended every Winter Games since then.

Bulgarian athletes have won a total of 224 medals, with wrestling and weightlifting as the top medal-producing sports. After the fall of the communist regime in 1989-1990, in Bulgaria's turbulent transition to free-market democracy, top-notch state support for Bulgarian Olympians disintegrated. Diminishing and marginalized medal returns were evident in the 2012 London Olympics, where Bulgaria, a former top-10 Olympic power in the late 1980s, fell out of its original high stature. Bulgaria's best performance to date has come in the 1980 Summer Olympics where they finished third in the overall medal count. In the 1988 Summer Olympics Bulgaria ranked 7th, but won the nation's largest total of medals to date. The best Winter Olympic result came in 1998 where they ranked 15th.

Medal tables

List of medalists

Summer Olympics

Medal Name Games Sport Event
 BronzeBoris Nikolov 1952 Helsinki BoxingMiddleweight (-75kg)
 GoldNikola Stanchev 1956 Melbourne WrestlingFreestyle 79 kg
 SilverDimitar Dobrev 1956 Melbourne WrestlingGreco-Roman middleweight
 SilverPetko Sirakov 1956 Melbourne WrestlingGreco-Roman light heavyweight
 SilverHusein Mehmedov 1956 Melbourne WrestlingFreestyle +87 kg
 Bronze 1956 Melbourne Association FootballMen's team competition
 GoldDimitar Dobrev 1960 Rome WrestlingGreco-Roman 79 kg
 SilverKrali Bimbalov 1960 Rome WrestlingGreco-Roman 87 kg
 SilverNezhdet Zalev 1960 Rome WrestlingFreestyle 57 kg
 SilverStancho Ivanov 1960 Rome WrestlingFreestyle 62 kg
 BronzeVelik Kapsazov 1960 Rome GymnasticsRings
 BronzeDinko Petrov 1960 Rome WrestlingGreco-Roman 57 kg
 BronzeEnyu Valchev 1960 Rome WrestlingFreestyle 67 kg
 GoldBoyan Radev 1964 Tokyo WrestlingGreco-Roman 97 kg
 GoldEnyu Valchev 1964 Tokyo WrestlingFreestyle 70 kg
 GoldProdan Gardzhev 1964 Tokyo WrestlingFreestyle 87 kg
 SilverVelichko Velichkov 1964 Tokyo Shooting50 metre rifle, three positions
 SilverAngel Kerezov 1964 Tokyo WrestlingGreco-Roman 52 kg
 SilverKiril Petkov 1964 Tokyo WrestlingGreco-Roman 78 kg
 SilverStancho Kolev 1964 Tokyo WrestlingFreestyle 63 kg
 SilverLyutvi Ahmedov 1964 Tokyo WrestlingFreestyle +97 kg
 BronzeAlexander Nikolov 1964 Tokyo BoxingLight Heavyweight (– 81 kg)
 BronzeSaid Mustafov 1964 Tokyo WrestlingFreestyle 97 kg
 GoldPetar Kirov 1968 Mexico City WrestlingGreco-Roman 52 kg
 GoldBoyan Radev 1968 Mexico City WrestlingGreco-Roman 97 kg
 Silver 1968 Mexico City FootballMen's team competition
 SilverEnyu Todorov 1968 Mexico City WrestlingFreestyle 63 kg
 SilverEnyu Valchev 1968 Mexico City WrestlingFreestyle 70 kg
 SilverOsman Duraliev 1968 Mexico City WrestlingFreestyle +97 kg
 BronzeIvan Mihailov 1968 Mexico City BoxingFeatherweight (– 57 kg)
 BronzeGeorgi Stankov 1968 Mexico City BoxingLight Heavyweight (– 81 kg)
 BronzeProdan Gardzhev 1968 Mexico City WrestlingFreestyle 87 kg
 GoldGeorgi Kostadinov 1972 Munich BoxingFlyweight (– 51 kg)
 GoldNorair Nurikyan 1972 Munich Weightlifting60 kg
 GoldYordan Bikov 1972 Munich Weightlifting75 kg
 GoldAndon Nikolov 1972 Munich Weightlifting90 kg
 GoldPetar Kirov 1972 Munich WrestlingGreco-Roman 52 kg
 GoldGeorgi Markov 1972 Munich WrestlingGreco-Roman 62 kg
 SilverDiana Yorgova 1972 Munich AthleticsLong jump
 SilverYordanka Blagoeva 1972 Munich AthleticsHigh jump
 SilverAngel Angelov 1972 Munich BoxingLight Welterweight(– 63.5 kg)
 SilverMladen Kutchev 1972 Munich Weightlifting67.5 kg
 SilverAtanas Shopov 1972 Munich Weightlifting90 kg
 SilverAleksandar Kraychev 1972 Munich Weightlifting110 kg
 SilverOgnyan Nikolov 1972 Munich WrestlingFreestyle 48 kg
 SilverOsman Duraliev 1972 Munich WrestlingFreestyle +100 kg
 SilverStoyan Apostolov 1972 Munich WrestlingGreco-Roman 68 kg
 SilverAleksandar Tomov 1972 Munich WrestlingGreco-Roman +100 kg
 BronzeIvanka Khristova 1972 Munich AthleticsShot put
 BronzeVasilka Stoeva 1972 Munich AthleticsDiscus throw
 BronzeFedia Damianov
Ivan Burtchin
1972 Munich CanoeingC-2 1000 metres
 BronzeIvan Krastev 1972 Munich WrestlingFreestyle 62 kg
 BronzeStefan Angelov 1972 Munich WrestlingGreco-Roman 48 kg
 GoldIvanka Khristova 1976 Montreal AthleticsShot put
 GoldSvetla Otsetova
Zdravka Yordanova
1976 Montreal RowingDouble sculls
 GoldSiyka Kelbecheva
Stoyanka Kurbatova-Gruicheva
1976 Montreal RowingCoxless pairs
 GoldNorair Nurikyan 1976 Montreal Weightlifting56 kg
 GoldYordan Mitkov 1976 Montreal Weightlifting75 kg
 GoldHasan Isaev 1976 Montreal WrestlingFreestyle 48 kg
 SilverNikolina Shtereva 1976 Montreal Athletics800 metres
 SilverMariya Vergova 1976 Montreal AthleticsDiscus throw
 SilverGinka Gyurova
Lilyana Vaseva
Reni Yordanova
Mariyka Modeva
Kapka Georgieva
1976 Montreal RowingCoxed fours
 SilverGeorgi Todorov 1976 Montreal Weightlifting60 kg
 SilverTrendafil Stoychev 1976 Montreal Weightlifting82.5 kg
 SilverKrastyu Semerdzhiev 1976 Montreal Weightlifting110 kg
 SilverStoyan Ivanov 1976 Montreal WrestlingGreco-Roman 90 kg
 SilverKamen Goranov 1976 Montreal WrestlingGreco-Roman 100 kg
 SilverAleksandar Tomov 1976 Montreal WrestlingGreco-Roman +100 kg
 BronzeYordanka Blagoeva 1976 Montreal AthleticsHigh jump
 Bronze 1976 Montreal BasketballWomen's team competition
 BronzeVladimir Kolev 1976 Montreal BoxingLight Welterweight(– 63.5 kg)
 BronzeAtanas Shopov 1976 Montreal Weightlifting90 kg
 BronzeDimo Kostov 1976 Montreal WrestlingFreestyle 100 kg
 BronzeStefan Angelov 1976 Montreal WrestlingGreco-Roman 48 kg
 BronzeIvan Kolev 1976 Montreal WrestlingGreco-Roman 82 kg
 GoldPetar Lesov 1980 Moscow BoxingFlyweight (– 51 kg)
 GoldLyubomir Lyubenov 1980 Moscow CanoeingC-1 1000 meters
 GoldStoyan Deltchev 1980 Moscow GymnasticsHorizontal bar
 GoldYanko Rusev 1980 Moscow Weightlifting67.5 kg
 GoldAsen Zlatev 1980 Moscow Weightlifting75 kg
 GoldValentin Raychev 1980 Moscow WrestlingFreestyle 74 kg
 GoldIsmail Abilov 1980 Moscow WrestlingFreestyle 82 kg
 GoldGeorgi Raykov 1980 Moscow WrestlingGreco-Roman 100 kg
 SilverMariya Petkova 1980 Moscow AthleticsDiscus throw
 Silver 1980 Moscow BasketballWomen's team competition
 SilverLyubomir Lyubenov 1980 Moscow CanoeingC-1 500 meters
 SilverVanja Gesheva 1980 Moscow CanoeingK-1 500 meters
 SilverPetar Mandazhiev
Svetoslav Ivanov
Georgi Gadjev
1980 Moscow EquestrianTeam Dressage
 SilverDimitar Zapryanov 1980 Moscow JudoHeavyweight (+95 kg)
 SilverGinka Gyurova
Mariyka Modeva
Rita Todorova
Iskra Velinova
Nadiya Filipova
1980 Moscow RowingCoxed fours
 Silver 1980 Moscow VolleyballMen's team competition
 SilverStefan Dimitrov 1980 Moscow Weightlifting60 kg
 SilverBlagoy Blagoev 1980 Moscow Weightlifting82.5 kg
 SilverRumen Aleksandrov 1980 Moscow Weightlifting90 kg
 SilverValentin Hristov 1980 Moscow Weightlifting110 kg
 SilverMiho Dukov 1980 Moscow WrestlingFreestyle 62 kg
 SilverIvan Yankov 1980 Moscow WrestlingFreestyle 68 kg
 SilverSlavcho Chervenkov 1980 Moscow WrestlingFreestyle 100 kg
 SilverAleksandar Tomov 1980 Moscow WrestlingGreco-Roman +100 kg
 BronzePetar Petrov 1980 Moscow Athletics100 metres
 BronzeIvailo Marinov 1980 Moscow BoxingLight Flyweight (– 48 kg)
 BronzeBorislav Ananiev
Nikolai Ilkov
1980 Moscow CanoeingC-2 500 meters
 BronzeBorislav Borisov
Bozhidar Milenkov
Lazar Khristov
Ivan Manev
1980 Moscow CanoeingK-4 1000 meters
 BronzeStoyan Deltchev 1980 Moscow GymnasticsIndividual all-around
 BronzeIlian Nedkov 1980 Moscow JudoHalf Lightweight (65 kg)
 BronzeMincho Nikolov
Lyubomir Petrov
Ivo Rusev
Bogdan Dobrev
1980 Moscow RowingQuadruple sculls (coxless)
 BronzeMariana Serbezova
Rumelyana Boncheva
Dolores Nakova
Anka Bakova
Anka Georgieva
1980 Moscow RowingQuadruple sculls (coxed)
 BronzeSiyka Kelbecheva
Stoyanka Kurbatova-Gruicheva
1980 Moscow RowingCoxless pairs
 BronzeLyubcho Dyakov 1980 Moscow Shooting50 metre pistol
 BronzePetar Zapryanov 1980 Moscow Shooting50 metre rifle prone
 Bronze 1980 Moscow VolleyballWomen's team competition
 BronzeMincho Pashov 1980 Moscow Weightlifting67.5 kg
 BronzeNedelcho Kolev 1980 Moscow Weightlifting75 kg
 BronzeNermedin Selimov 1980 Moscow WrestlingFreestyle 52 kg
 BronzeMladen Mladenov 1980 Moscow WrestlingGreco-Roman 52 kg
 BronzePavel Pavlov 1980 Moscow WrestlingGreco-Roman 82 kg
 GoldKhristo Markov 1988 Seoul AthleticsTriple jump
 GoldYordanka Donkova 1988 Seoul Athletics100 metres hurdles
 GoldIvailo Marinov 1988 Seoul BoxingLight Flyweight (– 48 kg)
 GoldVanja Gesheva 1988 Seoul CanoeingK-1 500 metres
 GoldLubomir Geraskov 1988 Seoul GymnasticsPommel horse
 GoldTanyu Kiryakov 1988 Seoul Shooting10 metre air pistol
 GoldTanya Dangalakova 1988 Seoul Swimming100 metre breaststroke
 GoldSevdalin Marinov 1988 Seoul Weightlifting52 kg
 GoldBorislav Gidikov 1988 Seoul Weightlifting75 kg
 GoldAtanas Komchev 1988 Seoul WrestlingGreco-Roman 90 kg
 SilverStefka Kostadinova 1988 Seoul AthleticsHigh jump
 SilverAleksandar Khristov 1988 Seoul BoxingBantamweight (– 54 kg)
 SilverVanja Gesheva
Diana Paliiska
1988 Seoul CanoeingK-2 500 metres
 SilverAdriana Dunavska 1988 Seoul GymnasticsIndividual all-around
 SilverRadka Stoyanova
Lalka Berberova
1988 Seoul RowingCoxless pairs
 SilverVesela Letcheva 1988 Seoul Shooting50 metre rifle three positions
 SilverAntoaneta Frenkeva 1988 Seoul Swimming100 metre breaststroke
 SilverStefan Topurov 1988 Seoul Weightlifting60 kg
 SilverIvan Tsonov 1988 Seoul WrestlingFreestyle 48 kg
 SilverStoyan Balov 1988 Seoul WrestlingGreco-Roman 57 kg
 SilverZhivko Vangelov 1988 Seoul WrestlingGreco-Roman 62 kg
 SilverRangel Gerovski 1988 Seoul WrestlingGreco-Roman 130 kg
 BronzeTsvetanka Khristova 1988 Seoul AthleticsDiscus throw
 BronzeMartin Marinov 1988 Seoul CanoeingC-1 500 metres
 BronzeNikolay Bukhalov 1988 Seoul CanoeingC-1 1000 metres
 BronzeVanja Gesheva
Diana Paliiska
Ogniana Petkova
Borislava Ivanova
1988 Seoul CanoeingK-4 500 metres
 BronzeDiana Doudeva 1988 Seoul GymnasticsFloor
 BronzeMagdalena Georgieva 1988 Seoul RowingSingle sculls
 BronzeVioleta Ninova
Stefka Madina
1988 Seoul RowingDouble sculls
 BronzeAntoaneta Frenkeva 1988 Seoul Swimming200 metre breaststroke
 BronzeManuela Maleeva 1988 Seoul TennisWomen's singles
 BronzeAleksandar Varbanov 1988 Seoul Weightlifting75 kg
 BronzeSimeon Shterev 1988 Seoul WrestlingFreestyle 62 kg
 BronzeRahmat Sofiadi 1988 Seoul WrestlingFreestyle 74 kg
 BronzeBratan Tsenov 1988 Seoul WrestlingGreco-Roman 48 kg
 GoldNikolay Bukhalov 1992 Barcelona CanoeingC-1 500 metres
 GoldNikolay Bukhalov 1992 Barcelona CanoeingC-1 1000 metres
 GoldIvan Ivanov 1992 Barcelona Weightlifting52 kg
 SilverTsvetanka Khristova 1992 Barcelona AthleticsDiscus throw
 SilverDaniel Petrov 1992 Barcelona BoxingLight Flyweight (– 48 kg)
 SilverVesela Letcheva 1992 Barcelona Shooting10 metre air rifle
 SilverNonka Matova 1992 Barcelona Shooting50 metre rifle three positions
 SilverNikolay Peshalov 1992 Barcelona Weightlifting60 kg
 SilverYoto Yotov 1992 Barcelona Weightlifting67.5 kg
 SilverValentin Getsov 1992 Barcelona WrestlingFreestyle 68 kg
 BronzeYordanka Donkova 1992 Barcelona Athletics100 metres hurdles
 BronzeSvilen Rusinov 1992 Barcelona BoxingSuper Heavyweight (+91 kg)
 BronzeMartin Marinov
Blagovest Stoyanov
1992 Barcelona CanoeingC-2 500 metres
 BronzeMariya Grozdeva 1992 Barcelona Shooting10 metre air pistol
 BronzeStefan Botev 1992 Barcelona Weightlifting110 kg
 BronzeValentin Yordanov 1992 Barcelona WrestlingFreestyle 52 kg
 GoldStefka Kostadinova 1996 Atlanta AthleticsHigh jump
 GoldDaniel Petrov 1996 Atlanta BoxingLight Flyweight (– 48 kg)
 GoldValentin Yordanov 1996 Atlanta WrestlingFreestyle 52 kg
 SilverSerafim Todorov 1996 Atlanta BoxingFeatherweight (– 57 kg)
 SilverTontcho Tontchev 1996 Atlanta BoxingLightweight (– 60 kg)
 SilverKrasimir Dounev 1996 Atlanta GymnasticsHorizontal bar
 SilverIna Delcheva
Valentina Kevlian
Maria Koleva
Maya Tabakova
Ivelina Taleva
Vjara Vatachka
1996 Atlanta GymnasticsGroup all-around
 SilverEmil Milev 1996 Atlanta Shooting25 metre rapid fire pistol
 SilverDiana Iorgova 1996 Atlanta Shooting25 metre pistol
 SilverYoto Yotov 1996 Atlanta Weightlifting76 kg
 BronzeAndrian Dushev
Milko Kazanov
1996 Atlanta CanoeingK-2 1000 metres
 BronzeTanyu Kiryakov 1996 Atlanta Shooting10 metre air pistol
 BronzeMariya Grozdeva 1996 Atlanta Shooting10 metre air pistol
 BronzeSevdalin Minchev 1996 Atlanta Weightlifting54 kg
 BronzeNikolay Peshalov 1996 Atlanta Weightlifting59 kg
 GoldTereza Marinova 2000 Sydney AthleticsTriple jump
 GoldTanyu Kiryakov 2000 Sydney Shooting50 metre pistol
 GoldMariya Grozdeva 2000 Sydney Shooting25 metre pistol
 GoldGalabin Boevski 2000 Sydney Weightlifting69 kg
 GoldArmen Nazaryan 2000 Sydney WrestlingGreco-Roman 58 kg
 SilverPetar Merkov 2000 Sydney CanoeingK-1 500 metres
 SilverPetar Merkov 2000 Sydney CanoeingK-1 1000 metres
 SilverRumyana Neykova 2000 Sydney RowingSingle sculls
 SilverGeorgi Markov 2000 Sydney Weightlifting69 kg
 SilverAlan Tsagaev 2000 Sydney Weightlifting105 kg
 SilverSerafim Barzakov 2000 Sydney WrestlingFreestyle 63 kg
 BronzeYordan Yovchev 2000 Sydney GymnasticsFloor
 BronzeYordan Yovchev 2000 Sydney GymnasticsRings
 GoldMariya Grozdeva 2004 Athens Shooting25 metre pistol
 GoldMilen Dobrev 2004 Athens Weightlifting94 kg
 SilverYordan Yovchev 2004 Athens GymnasticsRings
 BronzeBoris Georgiev 2004 Athens BoxingLight welterweight
 BronzeYordan Yovchev 2004 Athens GymnasticsFloor
 BronzeZhaneta Ilieva
Eleonora Kezhova
Zornitsa Marinova
Kristina Rangelova
Galina Tancheva
Vladislava Tancheva
2004 Athens GymnasticsGroup all-around
 BronzeGeorgi Georgiev 2004 Athens JudoHalf-lightweight (66 kg)
 BronzeIvo Yanakiev 2004 Athens RowingSingle sculls
 BronzeRumyana Neykova 2004 Athens RowingSingle sculls
 BronzeMariya Grozdeva 2004 Athens Shooting10 metre air pistol
 BronzeVelichko Cholakov 2004 Athens Weightlifting+105 kg
 BronzeArmen Nazaryan 2004 Athens WrestlingGreco-Roman 60 kg
 GoldRumyana Neykova 2008 Beijing RowingSingle sculls
 SilverStanka Zlateva 2008 Beijing WrestlingFreestyle 72 kg
 BronzeRadoslav Velikov 2008 Beijing WrestlingFreestyle 55 kg
 BronzeKiril Terziev 2008 Beijing WrestlingFreestyle 74 kg
 BronzeYavor Yanakiev 2008 Beijing WrestlingGreco-Roman 74 kg
 SilverMilka Maneva 2012 London WeightliftingWomen's 63 kg
 SilverStanka Zlateva 2012 London WrestlingFreestyle 72 kg
 BronzeTervel Pulev 2012 London BoxingHeavyweight
 SilverMirela Demireva 2016 Rio de Janeiro AthleticsWomen's high jump
 Bronze Elitsa Yankova 2016 Rio de Janeiro Wrestling Women's freestyle 48 kg
 Bronze Lyubomira Kazanova
Reneta Kamberova
Mihaela Maevska
Hristiana Todorova
Tsvetelina Naydenova
2016 Rio de Janeiro Gymnastics Group all-around

Winter Olympics

Medal Name Games Sport Event
 BronzeIvan Lebanov 1980 Lake Placid Cross-country skiingCross-country skiing 30 km
 GoldEkaterina Dafovska 1998 Nagano BiathlonIndividual
 SilverEvgenia Radanova 2002 Salt Lake City Short track speed skating500 metres
 BronzeIrina Nikulchina 2002 Salt Lake City BiathlonPursuit
 BronzeEvgenia Radanova 2002 Salt Lake City Short track speed skating1500 metres
 SilverEvgenia Radanova 2006 Turin Short track speed skating500 metres

Bulgarian Olympic Flag Bearers

# Year Season Flag Bearer Sport
252018WinterRadoslav YankovSnowboarding
242016SummerIvet LalovaAthletics
232014WinterMaria KirkovaAlpine skiing
222012SummerYordan YovchevGymnastics
212010WinterAleksandra ZhekovaSnowboarding
202008SummerPetar StoychevSwimming
192006WinterEkaterina DafovskaBiathlon
182004SummerMariya GrozdevaShooting
172002WinterStefan GeorgievAlpine skiing
162000SummerIvo YanakievRowing
151998WinterLyubomir PopovAlpine skiing
141996SummerDimo TonevVolleyball
131994WinterNadezhda AleksievaBiathlon
121992SummerIvaylo YordanovWrestling
111992WinterIva Karagiozova-ShkodrevaBiathlon
101988SummerVasil EtropolskiFencing
91988WinterVladimir VelichkovBiathlon
81984WinterVladimir VelichkovBiathlon
71980SummerAleksandar TomovWrestling
61980WinterPetar PopangelovDownhill skiing
51976SummerAleksandar TomovWrestling
41972SummerDimitar ZlatanovVolleyball
31964SummerEnyu ValchevWrestling
21952SummerBoris NikolovBoxing
11936SummerLyuben DoychevAthletics
gollark: I'm not actually old enough to vote, and in any case the only party which appears to actually care about this is the Liberal Democrats, who are not doing well in Parliament.
gollark: Yes. Democracy in action.
gollark: I complained to my MP when the government did some particularly egregious thing... complaining about end to end encryption on the news again, or something... and got a response back... from some random minister... by letter... two weeks later... which did not address anything I said and was related only in that my email and their response were both vaguely about encryption.
gollark: Er, act. Not bill.
gollark: *cough*investigatorypowersbill*cough*

See also

  • "Bulgaria". International Olympic Committee.
  • "Bulgaria". Olympedia.com.
  • "Olympic Analytics/BUL". olympanalyt.com.
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