Cuba is often expected to punch above its weight at the Olympics. Cuban boxers, for example, have won the second-highest amount of medals in Olympic history at 78, with 41 of them gold.
Since the 1972 Munich Games, Cuba has consistently ranked in the top 20 medal-earning countries. Far wealthier countries like Canada, New Zealand and Belgium — a country with a similar population size to Cuba — routinely rank below.
The Paris 2024 games may change this. Only 62 athletes will compete under the Cuban flag at this year’s Games. However, 21 Cubans will compete under other flags, including the refugee Olympic team.
