London 2012: The Countdown Series: Cuba

168 days to go until the London games begin. Next up on the parade of nations: Cuba (CUB).

The country has been there from the start-the first modern day Olympics of 1896. Cuba has produced some of the more successful athletic programs in the past hundred plus years. 188 medals were won as well, including 66 gold medals.

The most individual medals won by a Cuban athlete in the Olympics was by this man pictured-Ramon Fonst. The fencer won four gold medals-at Paris 1900 in the men's individual epee, and at St. Louis 1904 in the men's individual and team foil as well as the men's individual epee.

There have been multiple gold medalists as well. Boxer Teofilo Stevenson won three golds in the ring, at Munich 1972, Montreal 1976 and Moscow 1980 in the heavyweight class.

Several Cuban athletes have two gold medals each. At the team level, women's volleyball won gold three times-Barcelona 1992, Atlanta 1996 and Sydney 2000. Baseball won gold at Atlanta 1996 and at Athens 2004. Too bad baseball is no longer on the events list (along with softball), beginning at London.

As of now, 73 Cuban athletes in 10 events-including athletics, boxing, cycling, swimming, taekwondo, weightlifting and wrestling.

Next up: Cyprus