London 2012: The Countdown Series: Sweden

74 days to go until the first day of the London Olympics. Up next on the parade of nations: Sweden (SWE).

Sweden has participated in the summer Olympics since the first modern day Olympics of 1896. A total of 489 medals have been won by Swedish athletes in the summer games, including 143 gold medals.

Gert Fredriksson (pictured) has the most number of individual gold medals among Swedish Olympians in the summer games (40 multiple gold medalists) at six. The canoeist won in the men's 1000m kayak singles (canoeing) at London 1948, as well as Helsinki 1952 and Melbourne 1956. He also won in the men's 10000m kayak singles (canoeing) at London 1948 and at Melbourne 1956. His final gold medal was at Rome 1960 when he won gold in the men's 1000m kayak doubles (canoeing).

Javelin thrower Eric Lemming (pictured) is tied for second among Swedish summer Olympians with individual gold medals at four. Lemming won the men's javelin throw (athletics) at Athens 1906 and at London 1908. He also won the men's javelin throw at London 1908 and at Stockholm 1912.

The other four-time gold medalist for Sweden is Henri St. Cyr, as the equestrian rider won both in the individual and team mixed dressage at both Helsinki 1952 and in the Stockholm Equestrian games of 1956.

Eight Swedish athletes have three gold medals in the summer games:

• Oscar Swahn (shooting)
• Daniel Norling (equestrianism, gymnastics)
• Alfred Swahn (shooting)
• Vilhelm Carlberg (shooting)
• Gillis Grafstrom (figure skating (1920 only), plus two in the 1924 winter games)
• Carl Westergren (wrestling)
• Ivar Johansson (wrestling)
• Agneta Andersson (canoeing)

29 Swedes won two gold medals in the summer games. Too many to name.

Although no gold medals at Beijing 2008, their most recent gold medal was at Athens 2004, when Carolina Kluft (pictured) won gold in the women's heptathlon (athletics).

At the team level, the men's football (soccer) team defeated Yugoslavia in the final to win gold at London 1948.

As of now, Swedish athletes will compete in 19 events. 113 selected, though 144 have qualified in the following events: athletics, boxing, cycling, equestrian, judo, swimming, taekwondo, triathlon and wrestling. Women's football (soccer), and men's and women's handball  have also qualified for the London games as well.

Sweden was the host country for the 1912 summer games and the 1956 equestrian games (Stockholm).

Up next: Switzerland