London 2012: The Countdown Series: South Africa

80 days to go until the first day of the London Olympics. Up next on the parade of nations: South Africa (RSA).

South Africa has participated in the summer Olympics since 1896, but from 1964 until 1988, the South African team boycotted the summer games due to Apartheid. Nevertheless, a total of 72 medals have been won by South African athletes in the summer games, including 20 gold medals.

South Africa has two multiple gold medalists. The first was Charles Winslow (pictured). The tennis player won two golds at Stockholm 1912. In the men's singles of tennis, he defeated fellow countryman Harry Kitson (RSA) in the final, and in the men's doubles (along with Kitson), defeated Fritz Felix Pieper and Arthur Zborzil (AUT) in the final.

The other multiple gold medalist for South Africa is swimmer Penny Heyns. Heyns (pictured), who also swam at the University of Nebraska (Lincoln), won two golds at Atlanta 1996 in the 100m and 200m breaststroke (swimming).

The most recent gold for South Africa was in the men's 4x100m relay (swimming) at Athens 2004, with Lyndon Ferns, Roland Schoeman, Ryk Neethling and Darian Townsend.

As of now, 99 South African athletes are headed to London to compete in 16 events, including athletics, swimming, triathlon, weightlifting, cycling, and equestrian. Women's (field) hockey and women's football (soccer) have also qualified for the London games as well.

Up next: South Korea