(Credit – Global News)
These athletes have had long and strong careers at the Olympics!
Brazil's 43-year-old football star, Formiga, has made history as the footballer with the most Olympic appearances. The midfielder has competed in seven Olympics, participating in every edition since the sport was added in 1996. However, she remains behind the record holders for the most overall Olympic appearances. Let's take a look at the athletes with the most Olympic appearances.
Canadian Ian Millar, known as "Captain Canada" in equestrian circles, holds the record for the most Olympic appearances. Competing from the 1972 Munich edition to 2012, he only missed the 1980 Olympics. Millar came close to medals several times, finishing fourth and fifth twice in the team jumping event. His sole Olympic medal came in 2008, when he secured second place in the team jumping event. Millar's enduring career and dedication have made him a legendary figure in Olympic equestrian sports.
Austrian sailor Hubert Raudaschl is one of the few athletes with consecutive Olympic appearances. Competing in nine Olympics from 1968 to 2000, he won two medals. His first silver came in the Finn Class in 1968, and his second in the Star Class in 1980. Raudaschl's remarkable consistency and skill over three decades have affirmed his place in Olympic history, making him a standout figure in the world of sailing.
Latvian shooter Afanasijs Kuzmins’ last Olympics was the London edition in 2012. Since his first Olympic appearance in Montreal in 1976, he has competed in multiple events. Kuzmins placed fourth in the 25-metre rapid fire pistol in 1976 and sixth in 1980. Representing the Union, he won gold in 1988, and later secured silver for Latvia in 1992. From 1996 to 2012, he finished 10th, 8th, 14th, 13th, and 17th, marking an enduring Olympic career spanning decades.
Canadian rower Lesley Thompson made eight Olympic appearances, competing from 1984 to 2000, and then again in the last three Olympics. The 61-year-old has won five medals, including a gold in the women’s eight in 1992. She secured silver in the same event in Atlanta in 1996 and London in 2012, and bronze in Sydney in 2000. Her fifth medal was a silver in the coxed Four event in Los Angeles in 1984. Thompson's impressive career highlights her enduring talent and dedication to rowing.
Rower Josefa Idem began her Olympic career with Germany, winning bronze in the K-2 500m event in 1984. After marrying Gugliemo Guerrini, she represented Italy, securing four more medals in the K-1 500m event. Josefa won bronze in 1996, gold in Sydney 2000, and silver in both 2004 and 2008. She competed in every Olympics from 1984 to 2012, showing her enduring excellence and dedication to the sport of canoeing across three decades.
Peruvian shooter Francisco Boza is the only South American to compete in eight or more Olympics. He debuted at the 1980 Olympics and participated consecutively until the 2004 Athens Games. After a 12-year break, he returned for the 2016 Rio Olympics, where he served as Peru’s flag-bearer. Despite his numerous appearances, Boza has won only one medal—a silver in trap shooting at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics. His enduring Olympic career highlights his dedication and perseverance in the sport.
Paul Elvstrom, Rajmond Debevec, the d'Inzeo brothers, and Nino Salukvadze are also athletes with eight appearances at the Olympics, so they deserve a rightful mention in this article!
