Top 10 Reasons to Get Excited for the Olympics: #2 The First Medalists

Bruno Julie

The First Medalists?

What is that supposed to mean?

It means that there are so many countries out there that compete each time in the Olympics, and they have yet to earn a single Olympic medal. In the Beijing games, Bruno Julie (seen above) became the first medalist ever for the nation of Mauritius, taking the Bronze in Boxing.

Moments like that are more than just one athlete claiming a lifelong career milestone, they are a symbol to an entire country. It is a mark of accomplishment for not just one person but the thousands and millions that live in the homeland. Now Mauritius will never go another day without and Olympic medalist.

Biceps

Also in 2008, Benjamin “Biceps” Boukpeti won the first medal ever for Togo, taking Bronze in the Whitewater Kayak Slalom. Who in their right mind would ever have guessed that the tiny West African nation of Togo would earn a medal in Whitewater Kayaking, yet alone their first Olympic medal ever.

Moments like that are not even written in fiction.

Again, there are so many nations in the world without one single Olympic medal. For some nations, the chance to stand on an Olympic podium might seem impossible, but keep in mind, people do the impossible every day. That’s why we have record books.

Questions for You:

Which nation will gain its first Olympic Medal this year?

I would vote for the Sudan, but even during the war-torn years, Ismail Ahmed Ismail was able to earn their first Olympic Medal for all of Sudan, taking silver in Mens 800m Track and Field.

1st Medal for Unified Sudan in 2008

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