Sport in Estonia

Estonia, a Baltic nation, situated in the far northern part of Europe. Estonia was one of the few nations to send a sizable number of athletes to the early Olympic Games, demonstrating the importance of sports to Estonian society.

Popular sports in Estonia include basketball, beach volleyball, cricket, cycling, and, like the rest of Europe, football. They've finished in fifth place twice in the FIBA EuroBasket, and they've earned a spot in this year's tournament in Ukraine. Also very popular sports betting in Estonia. There are many top Estonian casinos and bookmakers in Estonia.

A number of professional cyclists, including four-time Tour de France winner and one-time Vuelta a Espaa stage winner Jaan Kirsipuu, have come out of Estonia. After Estonia obtained its independence, Erika Salumae, one of the finest Estonian track racers, won an Olympic gold medal. Three Olympic medals, four World Judo Championship medals, and fifteen European Judo Championship medals are only some of Estonia's recent successes in international competition. As of the Olympic Games in 2012, Estonia has won 40 medals as a sovereign country. There were 33 Olympic medals from the Summer Games and 7 Olympic medals from the Winter Games.

Estonian culture places a high value on sports. Estonia was the first country to participate as a full member in the 1920 Summer Olympics; the country's first National Olympic Committee wasn't established until 1923. Estonian athletes have participated in every Olympic Games since the country joined the United Nations in 1940. Tallinn, Estonia was the site of the 1980 Olympic sailing competition. Every single Olympic medal in wrestling, athletics, weightlifting, and cross-country skiing belongs to Estonia.