Athletes Who Gave Their Nation Its Only Gold

Bangalore: While athletes from countries like United States, Russia, Germany and Australia ensure the gold medal count for their respective countries show an upward trend with each passing Games, there are a handful of countries who have managed to bag the yellow metal just once in their life history. Here is a glimpse of those lone gold medalist athletes.

Irving Saladino (Panama):

Irving Saladino is a Panamanian long jumper who is Panama’s only gold medalist. Saladino competed at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, in China where he made history by winning the gold medal in the long jump competition on August 18, 2008. He gave Panama their first Olympic medal since the 1948 Olympics and their first gold ever. On August 21, 2008, after winning Olympic gold, he arrived to Panama as a national hero. Government offices and public schools were closed in honor of Irving so that the public of Panama could attend the parade through Panama City. President of Panama had also announced a decree, to name a sports facility in the Villa Deportiva in Juan Diaz after the great athlete. Irving has also qualified for the 2012 Summer Olympic which is held in London and has also chosen to be Panama’s flag bearer.