Olympic Games 1996

OLYMPICS - DID YOU KNOW?

Holders of the most Gold Medals are Paul Elvstrom (DEN) who has won four and Valentin Mankin (URS/UKR) who has won three.

At the 1988 Seoul Olympics Durward Knowles (BAH) aged 70 was the third oldest competitor to have participated in any sport in the history of the Olympics.

The oldest male medallist is Louis Noverrz (SUI) who at the age of 66 years and 155 days won a Bronze in the 5.5 Metre at the 1968 Olympics in Acapulco.

Hubert Raudaschl (AUT) holds the record for participation in Olympic Regattas. He has competed in nine Olympics and 1996 will mark his tenth appearance. Following behind Raudaschl are Paul Elvstrom (DEN) and Durward Knowles (USA) who have each competed in eight Olympic Regattas.

The youngest ever female medalist is Natalia Via Dufresne Perena (ESP) who was 19 years and 54 days when she won a Silver in the Europe Class in Barcelona, whilst the youngest ever female Gold medallist is Linda Andersen (NOR) who was 23 years and 49 days when she won a Gold in the Europe Class in Barcelona.

The first woman to take part in an Olympic Regatta was at the 1920 Olympics in Antwerp, where Dorothy Wright (GBR) crewed for her husband in the 7 meter class and they won a Gold.

The first woman to helm a boat in an Olympic Regatta was Cathy Foster (GBR) in the 470 Class (when it was an open discipline) at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics.

The youngest ever male Gold medalist was Franciscus Hin (NED) who won in the 12 foot Dinghy Class in Antwerp aged 14 years and 163 days.

Over the years of Olympic Regattas, the country who has won the most Gold Medals is USA with 49 - 16 Gold, 19 Silver and 14 Bronze, closely followed by Great Britain who has an overall tally of 33 medals and Sweden with 29.

In respect of overall performance by a nation in all disciplines at an Olympic Regatta the best past performers have been 1992 - USA, 1988 - France, 1984 - USA, 1980 - Brazil.