Zimbabwe was formerly Rhodesia, a British colony which was self-governing from 1923, and as Rhodesia, competed at two Olympic Games – those of 1928 and 1964. On 11 November 1965, Rhodesian Prime Minister Ian D. Smith announced his nation’s unilateral declaration of independence from Great Britain. Britain termed the act illegal and demanded that Rhodesia broaden voting rights to provide for eventual rule by majority Africans. In May 1968, the United Nations Security Council condemned the white-dominated Rhodesian government, asking that Rhodesian passports not be accepted for international travel. Rhodesia did not compete at the 1968 Olympics, one reason being that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) did not recognize its independent status, another being that Mexico honored the UN Security Council ruling.

At the 71st IOC Session in Luxembourg in 1971, the IOC ruled that Rhodesian athletes could compete at the 1972 Olympics under the same conditions as in 1968 – using British uniforms, the Union Jack as a flag, and with “God Save the Queen” as the anthem. Initially, this placated the African nations. However, shortly before the 1972 München Olympics, the African nations threatened a mass boycott if Rhodesia was allowed to compete. The petition stated that the Rhodesians had entered Germany not on British passports, as still required by the UN Security Council, but using the Olympic Identity Card. Two days before the 1972 Opening Ceremony, the IOC voted narrowly (36-31, with three abstentions) to withdraw the invitation to Rhodesia for the 1972 Olympic Games.

In 1975, the IOC sent a three-member contingent to visit Rhodesia to inspect the sporting facilities and groups. Led byMajor Sylvio de Magalhães Padilha of Brazil, this commission of inquiry was not kind to Rhodesian sports, and the IOC expelled the Rhodesian Olympic Committee, by a 41-26 vote.

After a civil war and eventual free elections, Rhodesia became Zimbabwe on 18 April 1980. Zimbabwe first appeared at the Olympics in 1980 at Moskva and the highlight of its appearance was the gold medal performance of its women’s hockey (field) team. Zimbabwe has since competed at all subsequent Olympic Games and in 2014 competed for the first time in the Olympic Winter Games with the Alpine skierLuke Henri Steyn. In 2004 and 2008, Zimbabwean swimmerKirsty Coventry won seven medals, including two golds in the 200 metres backstroke, bringing her nation’s medal total to eight. Coventry later became a member of the International Olympic Committee.

In 2014, it competed for the first time (and only time through 2022) at the Olympic Winter Games, with Alpine skierLuke Steyn. Steyn started in the men’s slalom and giant slalom, placing 57th in the giant slalom, but not finishing the slalom.