Cuba ranks second out of all American countries in terms of Summer Olympics gold medals, trailing only the United States, and has won more medals than any other nation in Latin America.

Cuba, which never hosted the Olympics, has won the fourth highest total number of medals (after Hungary, Romania, and Poland) among nations that have never hosted the Games.

Cuba's Olympic debut in 1900 featured one fencer, Ramón Fonst, who won the men's amateur épée contest and finished second in the amateurs–masters event (behind a professional).

The IOC credits Cuba with the other two medals in the 1904 épée event as well, despite Charles Tatham (silver) and Albertson Van Zo Post (bronze) being from the United States.

The country's boxing culture, strong grassroots program, specialized training and support, and investment in sports infrastructure have all contributed to the development of world-class boxers.