Estonia at the Olympics

Estonia first competed as a nation at the 1920 Summer Olympics, two years after declaring independence from the then warring Russian and German Empires in 1918. The Estonian National Olympic Committee was established in 1923.

Estonia participated in both Summer and Winter Games until the country was invaded and occupied by the Soviet Union in 1940. From 1952 to 1988, Estonian athletes competed under the Soviet flag. Notably, the 1980 Summer Olympics sailing regatta was hosted in Tallinn, during the period of Soviet occupation.

Athletes representing independent Estonia made their Winter Olympics debut at the II Olympic Winter Games 1928 in St. Moritz, competing in speed skating. Following the restoration of independence in 1991, Estonia resumed participation as a sovereign nation starting from the 1992 Winter Olympics in Albertville and the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona.

Jüri Lossman became the first athlete representing Estonia to win an Olympic medal of any colour, earning silver in the men's marathon. At the same Games, Alfred Neuland won Estonia's first Olympic gold medal, triumphing in the men's lightweight weightlifting event. At the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Andrus Veerpalu became the first athlete representing independent Estonia to win a Winter Olympic medal, taking gold in the men's 15 km cross-country skiing event.

Since regaining independence, Estonia has participated in every edition of both the Summer and Winter Olympics. Estonia has won most of its medals in wrestling (11), weightlifting (7), cross-country skiing (7) and athletics (6).