All countries that have been banned from the Olympics

Throughout history, numerous countries have been banned from the Olympics for various reasons. Take a look…

In total, thirteen countries have been banned from competing in the Summer Olympic Games in past.

According to Aljazeera, war, doping, political stances and violations of IOC rules have all been the reasons for this handful of countries being banned from competing.

Here are all the countries that have been banned throughout history:

1920 - Germany, Austria, Hungary, Bulgaria and Turkey

The first ban in the Olympics came in 1920 when Germany, Austria, Hungary, Bulgaria and Turkey were banned from competing at the games held in Antwerp, Belgium, due to their role and involvement in World War I.

1924 - Germany

Germany's ban continued into the 1924 games in Paris, France, due to the ramifications of World War I.

1948 - Germany and Japan

Germany and Japan were banned from the 1948 London Games due to their role in World War II.

1964-1992 - South Africa

South Africa was banned due to racial segregation under the apartheid regime.

1972 - Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe)

Rhodesia, which is now known as Zimbabwe, was banned due to international pressure and protests against racial segregation policies at the 1971 games in Munich.

2000 - Afghanistan

Afghanistan was banned from the Sydney games in 2000 due to the ruling Taliban's stance on women.

2016 - Kuwait

Kuwait was suspended from competing in 2016 at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics due to government interference in the country’s Olympic committee.

This meant athletes had to compete as independent Olympic athletes under the Olympic flag in the 2016 Rio de Janeiro games.

2022 - North Korea

North Korea was banned from the 2022 Beijing Winter Games due to its withdrawal from the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, violating the Olympic Charter.

2016, 2018, 2020 - Russia 

Russian athletes were barred due to state-sponsored doping at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - 2016 Olympics; Pyeongchang, South Korea - 2018 Winter Olympics; and Tokyo, Japan - 2020 Olympics. 

2024 - Russia and Belarus

This year, Russia and Belarus are banned due to their involvement in the ongoing Ukraine war. However, 15 athletes from Russia and 18 from Belarus will compete as “Individual Neutral Athletes” (AINs).

Here are all thirteen countries that have been banned in the past: 

• Germany
• Austria
• Hungary
• Bulgaria
• Turkey
• Japan
• South Africa
• Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe)
• Afghanistan
• Kuwait
• North Korea
• Russia
• Belarus