View source for List of Participating Countries in the Winter Olympics

== Participating Countries ==

The [[Winter Olympics|Winter Olympic Games]], a major international multi-sport event, is held once every four years. The first Winter Olympics was held in Chamonix, France, in 1924. Since then, numerous countries have participated in the games. This article provides a comprehensive list of countries that have participated in the Winter Olympics.

[[Image:Detail-62132.jpg|thumb|center|A photo of the five interlocking Olympic rings, each a different color: blue, yellow, black, green, and red.|class=only_on_mobile]]
[[Image:Detail-62133.jpg|thumb|center|A photo of the five interlocking Olympic rings, each a different color: blue, yellow, black, green, and red.|class=only_on_desktop]]

== Europe ==

=== Austria ===

[[Austria]] has participated in every Winter Olympics since the inaugural games in 1924. The country has a strong tradition in winter sports and has won numerous medals in events such as alpine skiing and ski jumping.

=== Belgium ===

[[Belgium]] first participated in the Winter Olympics in 1924 and has sent athletes to compete in most Winter Olympic Games. Belgian athletes have competed in a variety of events, but the country's only medal to date came in the 1948 St. Moritz games in the four-man bobsleigh event.

=== France ===

[[France]], the host of the inaugural Winter Olympics in 1924, has participated in all Winter Olympic Games. France has been successful in a variety of winter sports, including alpine skiing, biathlon, and snowboarding.

=== Germany ===

[[Germany]] has a complex history of participation in the Winter Olympics due to the country's division into East and West Germany from 1949 to 1990. Both East and West Germany competed separately in several Winter Olympics. Since reunification, Germany has been a dominant force in several winter sports, particularly in luge and biathlon.

=== Italy ===

[[Italy]] has participated in all Winter Olympic Games and has been successful in a variety of winter sports. The country has hosted the Winter Olympics twice, in 1956 and 2006.

== Asia ==

=== China ===

[[China]] first participated in the Winter Olympics in 1980 and has since become a strong competitor in several winter sports, particularly in short track speed skating and figure skating.

=== Japan ===

[[Japan]] has participated in all Winter Olympic Games except for the 1948 games. Japan has been successful in several winter sports, particularly in ski jumping and figure skating.

=== South Korea ===

[[South Korea]] first participated in the Winter Olympics in 1948 and has since become a dominant force in short track speed skating. The country hosted the Winter Olympics in 2018.

== North America ==

=== Canada ===

[[Canada]] has participated in all Winter Olympic Games and has been successful in a variety of winter sports, particularly in ice hockey and curling.

=== United States ===

The [[United States]] has participated in all Winter Olympic Games and has won more medals than any other country. The United States has been successful in a variety of winter sports, including alpine skiing, snowboarding, and ice hockey.

== Oceania ==

=== Australia ===

[[Australia]] first participated in the Winter Olympics in 1936 and has since competed in every Winter Games. Australia's success in the Winter Olympics has been limited, but the country has won medals in freestyle skiing and snowboarding.

== Africa ==

While no African nation has won a medal in the Winter Olympics, several have participated. [[Morocco]] and [[Algeria]] have sent athletes to compete in alpine skiing events, while [[South Africa]] has competed in alpine skiing and skeleton.

== See Also ==

* [[List of Olympic Games host cities]]
* [[List of Olympic medalists]]
* [[List of Olympic sports]]

[[Category:Winter Olympics]]
[[Category:Olympic Games by country]]
[[Category:Lists of countries]]