Sochi 2014: The Countdown Series: Uzbekistan

20 days remaining until the opening ceremonies (19 until the first day of competition) at Sochi 2014. Up next on the countdown: Uzbekistan.

Uzbekistan, like the other former USSR/Unified Team made their winter Olympics (and Olympics) debut at Lillehammer 1994, and has sent at least one athlete to the winter games ever since. Only one medal for the Uzbeks and it was the only one that mattered.

Freestyle skier Lina Cheryazova (pictured) not only became the first Uzbek to win a medal in the winter games, but the first ever Olympic gold medalist for Uzbekistan, when she won the women's aerials event at Lillehammer 1994. The only winter Olympic gold to this day for the country.

For Sochi, three quota spots were available--and are now filled out--including two in Alpine events.

Up next: Venezuela

London 2012: The Countdown Series: Uzbekistan

56 days to go until the first day of the London Olympics. Up next on the parade of nations: Uzbekistan (UZB).

Uzbekistan has participated in the summer Olympics since 1996. A total of 17  medals have been won by Uzbeki athletes in the summer games, including four gold medals.

Artur Taymazov (pictured) is the only multiple gold medalist for Uzbekistan in the Olympics, with two gold medals. The wrestler scored both gold medal victories in the finals of the freestyle super-heavyweight (wrestling). His first gold was at Athens 2004 when he defeated Ali Reza Rezaei (IRI) in final, and at Beijing 2008, defeated Bakhtiyar Akhmedov (RUS) in the final.

Boxer Mukhammad Kadyr Abdullayev won the first gold medal for Uzbekistan, by way of his win in the men's light-welterweight (boxing) final over Ricardo Williams Jr. (USA) at Sydney 2000.

Wrestler Alexsandr Dokturisvhvili won gold in the Greco-Roman middleweight (wrestling) at Athens 2004, defeating Marko Yli Hannusksela (FIN) in the final.

As of now, 50 Uzbeki athletes are headed to London to compete in twelve events, including athletics, boxing, swimming, cycling, judo, taekwondo, weightlifting and wrestling.

Up next: Vanuatu