Bulgaria competed at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France, from July 26 to August 11, 2024. The country sent a delegation of 46 athletes (21 men and 25 women) across 15 sports, showcasing a solid presence in the international sports arena. The Bulgarian Olympic Committee managed the team, continuing Bulgaria’s long tradition of Olympic participation. Due to political and historical reasons, Bulgaria has competed in every Summer Olympics since 1924, except for the 1948, 1932, and 1984 Games. Here, we explore Bulgaria’s achievements in Paris, including the medal tally, notable performances, and the athletes who pridefully represented the nation.
Bulgaria’s Performance at the 2024 Summer Olympics
Bulgaria’s athletes delivered impressive performances, securing seven medals: three gold, one silver, and three bronze. These results placed Bulgaria 26th in the overall medal rankings, a testament to the country’s athletic talent and preparation.
Medal Breakdown: Bulgaria’s Medalists in Paris 2024
Gold Medals
- Semen Novikov in Wrestling (Men’s Greco-Roman 87 kg) – August 8, 2024
- Karlos Nasar in Weightlifting (Men’s 89 kg) – August 9, 2024
- Magomed Ramazanov in Wrestling (Men’s Freestyle 86 kg) – August 9, 2024
Silver Medal
- Boryana Kaleyn in Gymnastics (Rhythmic Individual All-Around) – August 9, 2024
Bronze Medals
- Kimia Alizadeh in Taekwondo (Women’s 57 kg) – August 8, 2024
- Bozhidar Andreev in Weightlifting (Men’s 73 kg) – August 8, 2024
- Javier Ibáñez in Boxing (Men’s Featherweight) – August 8, 2024
Notable Performances and Key Athletes
Bulgaria’s athletes competed across various sports, demonstrating skill and determination. Here’s a closer look at the standout performers:
- Semen Novikov won gold in Men’s Greco-Roman Wrestling (87 kg) with a dominant performance, highlighting Bulgaria’s strength in wrestling.
- Karlos Nasar set a new world record in Weightlifting (Men’s 89 kg), showcasing his power and technique to win gold.
- Magomed Ramazanov secured gold in Men’s Freestyle Wrestling (86 kg), defeating top competitors and asserting dominance.
- Boryana Kaleyn earned silver in the Rhythmic Gymnastics Individual All-Around, continuing Bulgaria’s strong tradition in rhythmic gymnastics.
- Kimia Alizadeh made history by becoming the first Bulgarian taekwondo athlete to win an Olympic medal, taking bronze in the Women’s 57 kg category.
Overview of Competitors and Sports
Bulgaria’s 46 athletes participated in 15 sports, reflecting the country’s commitment to a diverse Olympic program. Below is a breakdown of the number of athletes competing in each sport:
- Athletics: 5 competitors (2 men, 3 women)
- Badminton: 3 competitors (3 women)
- Boxing: 5 competitors (3 men, 2 women)
- Canoeing: 1 competitor (1 woman)
- Fencing: 1 competitor (1 woman)
- Gymnastics: 9 competitors (1 man, 8 women)
- Judo: 2 competitors (2 men)
- Modern Pentathlon: 1 competitor (1 man)
- Rowing: 2 competitors (1 man, 1 woman)
- Shooting: 2 competitors (1 man, 1 woman)
- Swimming: 4 competitors (3 men, 1 woman)
- Taekwondo: 1 competitor (1 woman)
- Tennis: 1 competitor (1 woman)
- Weightlifting: 3 competitors (3 men)
- Wrestling: 6 competitors (4 men, 2 women)
Highlights from Various Sports
Athletics
Bulgarian athletes competed in both track and field events, with notable performances from Tihomir Ivanov in the Men’s High Jump, finishing 8th in the final, and Bozhidar Saraboyukov in the Men’s Long Jump.
Badminton
The Stoeva sisters, Gabriela and Stefani Stoeva performed well in Women’s Doubles Badminton, reaching the quarterfinals before being eliminated by the Chinese team.
Boxing
Javier Ibáñez earned a bronze medal in Men’s Featherweight Boxing, advancing to the semifinals with substantial victories before narrowly losing in the semifinal.
Gymnastics
Bulgaria showed strength in rhythmic gymnastics, with Boryana Kaleyn winning silver and the team qualifying for the group finals, finishing 4th overall.
Weightlifting and Wrestling
Bulgaria excelled in weightlifting and wrestling, securing three gold medals. Karlos Nasar and Semen Novikov both won gold, cementing Bulgaria’s reputation in these sports.
Bulgaria’s Success at the Paris 2024 Olympics
Impressive performances and significant achievements marked Bulgaria’s participation in the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. Bulgaria demonstrated its athletic prowess on the world stage with seven medals, including three golds. The athletes’ dedication and hard work have made the nation proud, continuing a legacy of Olympic success. For more detailed information on Bulgaria’s Olympic journey and future sporting events, visit the Bulgarian Olympic Committee’s website.
Learn more about Bulgaria’s Sporting Heritage throughout the years.