Olympic Games: Catalonia's most medal-winning athletes in history
As Paris 2024 Olympics kick off, we look back at Catalonia's Summer Games legacy
Catalonia's sporting history is immense. The territory has produced world-renowned athletes thanks to a deep-rooted sports culture, a large fan base and a solid infrastructure for developing young talent.
The examples of Catalonia's success in sports are endless. From basketball legend Pau Gasol to MotoGP superstar Marc Márquez and football stars such as Xavi Hernández and Alexia Putellas.
But it's not only in professional sports that Catalonia shines. The region has also had great success in the Olympic Games.
Although not always household names, Catalan athletes have consistently excelled at the highest levels of competition.
Catalonia's top Olympic medalists
Throughout the history of the Olympic Games, 182 Catalan athletes have stood on the Olympic podium.
Of these, 157 have won medals once, while 25 have done so several times. In total, Catalonia has won an impressive 203 Olympic medals.
Among all the Catalan athletes, there are only seven who have won more than three medals.
These are the most decorated Catalan athletes in the history of the Summer Games.
Top sports: Field hockey and water polo
Among the many sports featured in the Olympics, Catalonia has particularly shone in field hockey, the region's most successful sport with 27 Olympic podium finishes.
Water polo also stands out, having produced the most Olympic champions from Catalonia, with a total of seven gold medals.
Top Games: Beijing 2008 and Barcelona 1992
The 2008 Beijing Games were a highlight for Catalonia, producing 32 medalists, the highest number for the region in a single Summer Games.
The 1992 Barcelona Games, held on Catalan soil, were marked by the highest number of gold medals won by Catalan athletes, with 11 securing top honors.
The Tokyo 2020 Games were not as fruitful for Catalonia as in previous years, as no one from the territory won any gold medals - a first since the 1988 Seoul Olympics.
However, with the largest Catalan delegation in recent years at Paris 2024, hopes are high for a return to greater success and more medals.