Zimbabwean athletes have won a total of eight medals – three golds, four silvers and one bronze – in two sports.

It was unable to take part in the 1968 Games in Mexico, due to the Mexican government's interpretation of regulations on passports.

It never successfully competed following Ian Smith's declaration of an independent Rhodesian republic in 1970.

Although it returned to the Games in 1972, Rhodesia was expelled by the International Olympic Committee four days before the opening ceremony, under pressure from other African countries, which did not recognise the legitimacy of the Rhodesian state and threatened a boycott.

[4][5] Rhodesia remained out of the 1976 Summer Olympics after the IOC inspected the country's sporting facilities and groups and found them underwhelming, voting for their expulsion from the committee.