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Switzerland at the 2016 Summer Olympics

Adapted from Wikipedia · Discoverer experience

Switzerland took part in the 2016 Summer Olympics held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from August 5 to August 21, 2016. Swiss athletes have been in every modern Summer Olympic Games, except for a partial boycott of the 1956 Summer Olympics to protest the Soviet invasion of Hungary. The Swiss team had 104 athletes, including 59 men and 45 women, who competed in seventeen different sports.

When the Olympics ended, Switzerland brought home seven medals: three gold, two silver, and two bronze. This was the same number of medals Switzerland won at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta and the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. The medals came from cycling, artistic gymnastics, rowing, shooting, tennis, and triathlon.

Some of Switzerland's top athletes included road cyclist Fabian Cancellara, who won the men's time trial for the second time, having also done so in Beijing 2008. Mountain biker Nino Schurter won gold in the men's cross country race. The rowing team of Mario Gyr, Simon Niepmann, Simon Schürch, and Lucas Tramèr won Switzerland's first-ever Olympic gold medal in rowing.

On the women's side, pistol shooter Heidi Diethelm Gerber, gymnast Giulia Steingruber, and tennis player Martina Hingis with her partner Timea Bacsinszky each won medals, making history as the first Swiss women to win in their sports. Nicola Spirig Hug won a silver in the women's triathlon, becoming the first Olympic athlete to win more than one medal in this event.

Medalists

Further information: 2016 Summer Olympics medal table and List of 2016 Summer Olympics medal winners

Competitors

The Swiss Olympic Association chose 104 athletes, including 59 men and 45 women, to compete in seventeen different sports at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. This was the largest group Switzerland had ever sent to the Summer Olympics since [/wiki/1984_Summer_Olympics], and it included the most women ever, making up about 43 percent of the team. Most of these athletes were making their Olympic debut, with only a few having competed before.

For the first time since [/wiki/1992_Summer_Olympics], Swiss male gymnasts competed in the team all-around tournament. Athletics and cycling had the most competitors, with 16 athletes each. Some well-known Swiss athletes returned to try to win more medals, including equestrian show jumper Steve Guerdat, triathlete Nicola Spirig Hug, and mountain biker Nino Schurter. Other notable athletes included rowers Mario Gyr, Simon Niepmann, Simon Schürch, and Lucas Tramèr, and tennis player Martina Hingis, who came back after twenty years away from the Olympics.

The youngest competitor was 18-year-old golfer Albane Valenzuela, and the oldest was 50-year-old dressage rider Marcela Krinke-Susmelj.

The following is the list of number of competitors in the Games. Note that reserves in fencing, field hockey, football, and handball are not counted as athletes:

Athletics

Main article: Athletics at the 2016 Summer Olympics

Swiss athletes took part in many running and field events at the 2016 Summer Olympics. On May 5, 2016, the Swiss Olympic Association chose three runners for the marathon. By the end of July 2016, fourteen more athletes joined the team, including one man and thirteen women.

Track & road events

Men

Women

Field events

AthleteEventHeatSemifinalFinal
ResultRankResultRankResultRank
Tadesse AbrahamMarathon—N/a2:11:427
Kariem Hussein400 m hurdles49.805Did not advance
Christian KreienbühlMarathon—N/a2:21:1376
AthleteEventHeatQuarterfinalSemifinalFinal
ResultRankResultRankResultRankResultRank
Selina Büchel800 m1:59.001 Q—N/a1:59.353Did not advance
Petra Fontanive400 m hurdles56.806—N/aDid not advance
Mujinga Kambundji100 mBye11.193 q11.166Did not advance
200 m22.783 q—N/a22.836Did not advance
Maja NeuenschwanderMarathon—N/a2:34:2729
Clélia Reuse100 m hurdles12.914 q—N/a12.965Did not advance
Fabienne Schlumpf3000 m steeplechase9:30.546 q—N/a9:59.3018
Léa Sprunger400 m hurdles56.584—N/aDid not advance
Sarah Atcho
Ajla del Ponte
Mujinga Kambundji
Salomé Kora
Marisa Lavanchy
Ellen Sprunger
4 × 100 m relay43.125—N/aDid not advance
AthleteEventQualificationFinal
DistancePositionDistancePosition
Nicole BüchlerWomen's pole vault4.55=8 q4.706
Angelica Moser4.4523Did not advance

Badminton

Main article: Badminton at the 2016 Summer Olympics

Switzerland sent one badminton player to the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. This player was Sabrina Jaquet, who had also competed in the 2012 Olympics in London. She earned her spot by being the next highest-ranked eligible player in the BWF World Rankings as of May 5, 2016.

AthleteEventGroup StageEliminationQuarterfinalSemifinalFinal / BM
Opposition
Score
Opposition
Score
RankOpposition
Score
Opposition
Score
Opposition
Score
Opposition
Score
Rank
Sabrina JaquetWomen's singles Gilmour (GBR)
L (15–21, 17–21)
 Zechiri (BUL)
L (15–21, 17–21)
3Did not advance

Canoeing

Main article: Canoeing at the 2016 Summer Olympics

Switzerland sent canoeists to the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. They qualified two canoeists for the men's C-2 class after doing very well at the 2016 European Canoe Slalom Championships in Liptovský Mikuláš, Slovakia. These athletes were announced for the team on May 26, 2016.

The country also received a spot to send one canoeist in the men's K-1 1000 m event. This happened because some athletes from Belarus and Romania were not allowed to compete for a year due to issues with fair play in sports.

Qualification Legend: FA = Qualify to final (medal); FB = Qualify to final B (non-medal)

AthleteEventPreliminarySemifinalFinal
Run 1RankRun 2RankBestRankTimeRankTimeRank
Lukas Werro
Simon Werro
Men's C-2158.4711110.566110.569 Q115.409 Q111.529
AthleteEventHeatsSemifinalsFinal
TimeRankTimeRankTimeRank
Fabio WyssMen's K-1 1000 m3:41.9857Did not advance

Cycling

Main article: Cycling at the 2016 Summer Olympics

Swiss cyclists earned spots in several events at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. They qualified for the road race based on their strong rankings in international cycling competitions. The team included experienced riders like two-time Olympic medalist Fabian Cancellara.

They also qualified for track cycling events, such as the men's team pursuit and men's omnium, after performing well in world championships. In mountain biking, they secured places for both men and women, led by double Olympic medalist Nino Schurter. Additionally, they had a rider, David Graf, qualified for the BMX event.

AthleteEventQualificationSemifinalsFinal
TimeRankOpponent
Results
RankOpponent
Results
Rank
Olivier Beer
Silvan Dillier
Frank Pasche
Théry Schir
Cyrille Thièry*
Men's team pursuit4:03.8457 Q Germany
4:03.580
7 China
4:01.786
7
AthleteEventScratch raceIndividual pursuitElimination raceTime trialFlying lapPoints raceTotal pointsRank
RankPointsTimeRankPointsRankPointsTimeRankPointsTimeRankPointsPointsRank
Gaël SuterMen's omnium15124:36.67417178261:04.433131612.9815321319512
AthleteEventSeedingQuarterfinalSemifinalFinal
ResultRankPointsRankPointsRankResultRank
David GrafMen's BMX34.6782144 Q227Did not advance

Equestrian

Main article: Equestrian at the 2016 Summer Olympics

Switzerland qualified a full team for the jumping competition at the 2016 Summer Olympics by earning one of three spots from the 2015 European Championships. Three more Swiss riders joined a special team to compete in the eventing competition, based on their strong performances in international rankings.

Swiss athletes also took part in dressage, with Marcela Krinke-Susmelj and her horse Molberg representing the country.

"#" indicates that the score of this rider does not count in the team competition, since only the best three results of a team are counted.

AthleteHorseEventGrand PrixGrand Prix SpecialGrand Prix FreestyleOverall
ScoreRankScoreRankTechnicalArtisticScoreRank
Marcela Krinke-SusmeljMolbergIndividual72.70024 Q72.88524Did not advance
AthleteHorseEventDressageCross-countryJumpingTotal
QualifierFinal
PenaltiesRankPenaltiesTotalRankPenaltiesTotalRankPenaltiesTotalRankPenaltiesRank
Ben VoggNoe des VatysIndividual51.704982.40134.104314.00148.0043Did not advance148.0043
Felix VoggOnfire46.7025EliminatedDid not advance
AthleteHorseEventQualificationFinalTotal
Round 1Round 2Round 3Round ARound B
PenaltiesRankPenaltiesTotalRankPenaltiesTotalRankPenaltiesRankPenaltiesTotalRankPenaltiesRank
Romain DuguetQuorida de TrehoIndividual4=27 Q04=15 Q59=23 Q1232Did not advance1232
Martin FuchsClooney4 #=27 Q04=15 Q5 #9=23 Q0=1 Q44=94=9
Steve GuerdatNino des Buissonets0=1 Q88=30 Q19=23 Q0=1 Q00=1 JO44
Janika SprungerBonne Chance0=1 Q88 #=30 Q19=23*Did not advance
Romain Duguet
Martin Fuchs
Steve Guerdat
Janika Sprunger
See aboveTeam8=88—N/a=7 Q7156—N/a156

Fencing

Main article: Fencing at the 2016 Summer Olympics

Swiss fencers earned spots in the men’s team épée event by finishing in the top four at the FIE Olympic Team Rankings. Tiffany Géroudet, who competed in the London 2012 Olympics, won a place by winning the women’s épée at the European Zonal Qualifier in Prague, Czech Republic. The fencing team was announced for the Olympics on May 31, 2016.

AthleteEventRound of 64Round of 32Round of 16QuarterfinalSemifinalFinal / BM
Opposition
Score
Opposition
Score
Opposition
Score
Opposition
Score
Opposition
Score
Opposition
Score
Rank
Max HeinzerMen's épéeBye Pizzo (ITA)
W 15–11
 Anokhin (RUS)
W 15–7
 Park S-y (KOR)
L 4–15
Did not advance
Fabian KauterBye Herey (UKR)
W 15–9
 Borel (FRA)
L 14–15
Did not advance
Benjamin SteffenBye Pryor (USA)
W 15–14
 Nikishyn (UKR)
W 15–14
 Borel (FRA)
W 15–10
 Park S-y (KOR)
L 9–15
 Grumier (FRA)
L 11–15
4
Max Heinzer
Fabian Kauter
Benjamin Steffen
Peer Borsky (r)
Men's team épée—N/aBye Italy
L 32–45
Classification semifinal
 Russia
W 45–28
5th place final
 South Korea
L 36–45
6
Tiffany GéroudetWomen's épée Costa (BRA)
L 13–15
Did not advance

Golf

Main article: Golf at the 2016 Summer Olympics

Switzerland sent two golfers to the Olympics. Fabienne In-Albon and Albane Valenzuela qualified because they were among the best players in the world at the time.

AthleteEventRound 1Round 2Round 3Round 4Total
ScoreScoreScoreScoreScoreParRank
Fabienne In-AlbonWomen's74787579306+2257
Albane Valenzuela71687271282−2=21

Gymnastics

Main article: Gymnastics at the 2016 Summer Olympics

Switzerland sent a team of gymnasts to the 2016 Summer Olympics. The men’s team qualified by finishing in the top eight at the 2015 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Glasgow. This was their first appearance in the Olympics since a long time ago. One Swiss woman gymnast also earned a spot by competing in a special event in Rio de Janeiro before the Games began.

The team was officially announced on July 8, 2016.

AthleteEventQualificationFinal
ApparatusTotalRankApparatusTotalRank
FPHRVPBHBFPHRVPBHB
Christian BaumannTeam—N/a14.33314.133—N/a14.93313.700—N/aDid not advance
Pablo Brägger14.50013.93314.03313.80014.83315.10086.19921 Q
Benjamin Gischard15.066—N/a14.300—N/a
Oliver Hegi13.96614.06614.20014.50014.33313.36684.43130
Eddy Yusof15.03314.13314.53315.20013.30013.16685.36525 Q
Total44.59942.53242.86644.00044.09942.166260.2629
AthleteEventApparatusTotalRank
FPHRVPBHB
Pablo BräggerAll-around14.93314.03313.90814.30015.03315.16687.37316
Eddy Yusof14.63314.53314.71615.06614.93314.53388.41412
AthleteEventQualificationFinal
ApparatusTotalRankApparatusTotalRank
VUBBBFVUBBBF
Giulia SteingruberAll-around15.60013.90012.73314.66656.89915 Q15.36613.80013.66614.73357.56510
Vault15.600—N/a15.6005 Q15.216—N/a15.2163rd place, bronze medalist(s)
Floor—N/a14.66614.6663 Q—N/a11.80011.8008

Judo

Main article: Judo at the 2016 Summer Olympics

Switzerland sent three judo athletes to the 2016 Summer Olympics. They were Ciril Grossklaus, Evelyne Schopp, and Ludovic Chammartin, who had also competed in the 2012 Olympics. They were chosen because they were among the best ranked judo players in the world at that time.

AthleteEventRound of 64Round of 32Round of 16QuarterfinalsSemifinalsRepechageFinal / BM
Opposition
Result
Opposition
Result
Opposition
Result
Opposition
Result
Opposition
Result
Opposition
Result
Opposition
Result
Rank
Ludovic ChammartinMen's −60 kgBye Preciado (ECU)
W 001–000
 Urozboev (UZB)
L 000–001
Did not advance
Ciril GrossklausMen's −90 kgBye Iddir (FRA)
L 000–000 S
Did not advance
Evelyne TschoppWomen's −52 kg—N/a Gneto (FRA)
W 100–000
 Kelmendi (KOS)
L 000–100
Did not advance

Rowing

Main article: Rowing at the 2016 Summer Olympics

Switzerland sent four rowing teams to the 2016 Summer Olympics. These teams competed in men's lightweight double sculls, men's lightweight four, men's quadruple sculls, and women's single sculls. They earned their spots at the 2015 FISA World Championships in Lac d'Aiguebelette, France.

The Swiss Olympic Association announced the rowers step by step between April and June 2016.

Men

Women

Qualification Legend: FA=Final A (medal); FB=Final B (non-medal); FC=Final C (non-medal); FD=Final D (non-medal); FE=Final E (non-medal); FF=Final F (non-medal); SA/B=Semifinals A/B; SC/D=Semifinals C/D; SE/F=Semifinals E/F; QF=Quarterfinals; R=Repechage

AthleteEventHeatsRepechageSemifinalsFinal
TimeRankTimeRankTimeRankTimeRank
Michael Schmid
Daniel Wiederkehr
Lightweight double sculls6:29.953 R7:07.903 SC/D7:22.151 FC6:42.5713
Mario Gyr
Simon Niepmann
Simon Schürch
Lucas Tramèr
Lightweight four6:03.523 SA/BBye6:17.851 FA6:20.511st place, gold medalist(s)
Barnabé Delarze
Augustin Maillefer
Roman Röösli
Nico Stahlberg
Quadruple sculls5:51.523 R5:56.134 FBBye6:11.187
AthleteEventHeatsRepechageQuarterfinalsSemifinalsFinal
TimeRankTimeRankTimeRankTimeRankTimeRank
Jeannine GmelinSingle sculls8:28.102 QFBye7:29.662 SA/B7:49.833 FA7:29.695

Sailing

Main article: Sailing at the 2016 Summer Olympics

Swiss sailors qualified one boat in each class through events like the 2014 ISAF Sailing World Championships and other qualifying races. They also got a spot for the women's 470 class when another team could not use theirs.

The sailing team was announced in May and June 2016. Some sailors, like Nathalie Brugger and the men's 470 crew Yannick Brauchli and Romuald Hausser, were going to their third Olympics. Lucien Cujean and Sébastien Schneiter joined the team for the 49er class after Switzerland got another spot.

Men

Women

Mixed

M = Medal race; EL = Eliminated – did not advance into the medal race

AthleteEventRaceNet pointsFinal rank
123456789101112M*
Mateo Sanz LanzRS:X24152181482011111945EL13614
Yannick Brauchli
Romuald Hausser
4701141971010822158—N/a2949
Lucien Cujean
Sébastien Schneiter
49er51612417151510165175EL12013
AthleteEventRaceNet pointsFinal rank
12345678910M*
Linda Fahrni
Maja Siegenthaler
470181515129108111619EL10414
AthleteEventRaceNet pointsFinal rank
123456789101112M*
Matías Bühler
Nathalie Brugger
Nacra 1716619111810755110201007

Shooting

Main article: Shooting at the 2016 Summer Olympics

Swiss shooters earned spots in several events by doing well in the 2015 ISSF World Cup series and European Championships. They needed to meet a minimum score by March 31, 2016, to qualify.

The Swiss Olympic Association named the shooting team on June 2, 2016. It included Heidi Diethelm Gerber, who competed in London in 2012 and won a European Games pistol title. The team also had a double starter, Nina Christen, who helped secure places in two women's rifle events. Based on performances, the Swiss team decided to use one of these spots for the men's 50 m rifle three positions event instead, giving it to Jan Lochbichler, who competed in the 2010 Youth Olympics.

Qualification Legend: Q = Qualify for the next round; q = Qualify for the bronze medal (shotgun)

AthleteEventQualificationSemifinalFinal
PointsRankPointsRankPointsRank
Jan LochbichlerMen's 50 m rifle prone623.014—N/aDid not advance
Men's 50 m rifle 3 positions116630—N/aDid not advance
Nina ChristenWomen's 10 m air rifle414.716—N/aDid not advance
Women's 50 m rifle 3 positions5862 Q—N/a414.86
Heidi Diethelm GerberWomen's 10 m air pistol37635—N/aDid not advance
Women's 25 m pistol5827 Q184 q83rd place, bronze medalist(s)
Sarah HornungWomen's 10 m air rifle414.321—N/aDid not advance

Swimming

Main article: Swimming at the 2016 Summer Olympics

Swiss swimmers earned spots in several events for the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. Athletes like Jérémy Desplanches, Sasha Touretski, and London 2012 Olympian Yannick Käser were chosen early. Later, Martina van Berkel, Maria Ugolkova, and Alexandre Haldemann also joined the team. Danielle Villars and Noémi Girardet completed the swimming group.

Men

Women

AthleteEventHeatSemifinalFinal
TimeRankTimeRankTimeRank
Jérémy Desplanches200 m individual medley1:59.67=12 Q2:00.3813Did not advance
400 m individual medley4:15.46 NR13—N/aDid not advance
Alexandre Haldemann200 m freestyle1:49.9438Did not advance
Yannick Käser100 m breaststroke1:00.71=24Did not advance
200 m breaststroke2:11.7720Did not advance
AthleteEventHeatSemifinalFinal
TimeRankTimeRankTimeRank
Alexandra Touretski50 m freestyle25.6641Did not advance
Maria Ugolkova100 m freestyle54.8523Did not advance
200 m individual medley2:13.7719Did not advance
Martina van Berkel200 m backstroke2:13.4624Did not advance
200 m butterfly2:08.00 NR11 Q2:07.90 NR12Did not advance
400 m individual medley4:45.1224—N/aDid not advance
Danielle Villars100 m butterfly59.45=27Did not advance
Noémi Girardet
Alexandra Touretski
Maria Ugolkova
Danielle Villars
4 × 100 m freestyle relay3:41.02 NR14—N/aDid not advance

Synchronized swimming

Main article: Synchronized swimming at the 2016 Summer Olympics

Switzerland sent two swimmers to take part in the women's duet event. They earned their spot by finishing eighth at a special competition held before the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

AthleteEventTechnical routineFree routine (preliminary)Free routine (final)
PointsRankPointsTotal (technical + free)RankPointsTotal (technical + free)Rank
Sophie Giger
Sascia Kraus
Duet83.33661383.5667166.903314Did not advance

Tennis

Main article: Tennis at the 2016 Summer Olympics

Switzerland had two women tennis players in the Olympic tournament. Famous players Roger Federer and Stan Wawrinka qualified for the men's singles, but Federer had to leave because of a knee injury, and later Wawrinka also left because of a back injury. Timea Bacsinszky and Belinda Bencic were set to play women's singles, but Bencic had to leave because of a wrist injury. Bacsinszky then teamed up with Viktorija Golubic for women's doubles, but this pair did not happen because of the changes. Bacsinszky also played with Martina Hingis in women's doubles.

AthleteEventRound of 64Round of 32Round of 16QuarterfinalsSemifinalsFinal / BM
Opposition
Score
Opposition
Score
Opposition
Score
Opposition
Score
Opposition
Score
Opposition
Score
Rank
Timea BacsinszkyWomen's singles Zhang S (CHN)
L 7–6(7–4), 4–6, 6–7(7–9)
Did not advance
Timea Bacsinszky
Martina Hingis
Women's doubles—N/a Gavrilova /
Stosur (AUS)
W 6–4, 4–6, 6–2
 Mattek-Sands /
Vandeweghe (USA)
W 6–4, 6–4
 Chan H-c /
Chan Y-j (TPE)
W 6–3, 6–0
 Hlaváčková /
Hradecká (CZE)
W 5–7, 7–6(7–3), 6–2
 Makarova /
Vesnina (RUS)
L 4–6, 4–6
2nd place, silver medalist(s)

Triathlon

Main article: Triathlon at the 2016 Summer Olympics

Switzerland sent four triathletes to the Olympics. Nicola Spirig, who won gold in London 2012, aimed to defend her title in the women's triathlon after winning at the 2015 European Games. Three-time Olympian Sven Riederer, along with Andrea Salvisberg and Jolanda Annen, were also part of the team, ranked among the top 40 triathletes in their events.

AthleteEventSwim (1.5 km)Trans 1Bike (40 km)Trans 2Run (10 km)Total TimeRank
Sven RiedererMen's17:480:4956:030:3533:001:48:1519
Andrea Salvisberg17:280:2655:040:3834:001:47:5616
Jolanda AnnenWomen's19:190:511:01:200:4037:321:59:4214
Nicola Spirig19:120:541:01:220:3834:501:56:562nd place, silver medalist(s)

Volleyball

Main article: Volleyball at the 2016 Summer Olympics

Beach

Two Swiss women's beach volleyball teams were part of the Olympics. They got their spots because of their strong rankings. The teams were led by Isabelle Forrer and Anouk Vergé-Dépré, and by Nadine Zumkehr with her new partner Joana Heidrich.

AthleteEventPreliminary roundStandingRound of 16QuarterfinalsSemifinalsFinal / BM
Opposition
Score
Opposition
Score
Opposition
Score
Opposition
Score
Opposition
Score
Rank
Isabelle Forrer
Anouk Vergé-Dépré
Women'sPool C
 Wang FYue Y (CHN)
L 1 – 2 (22–24, 21–18, 12–15)
 ArtachoLaird (AUS)
W 2 – 1 (19–21, 21–16, 21–19)
 RossWalsh Jennings (USA)
L 1 – 2 (13–21, 24–22, 12–15)
3 Q Ludwig
Walkenhorst (GER)
L 0 – 2 (19–21, 10–21)
Did not advance
Joana Heidrich
Nadine Zumkehr
Pool E
 BorgerBüthe (GER)
W 2 – 0 (21–12, 21–16)
 BansleyPavan (CAN)
L 0 – 2 (18–21, 18–21)
 van Gestelvan der Vlist (NED)
W 2 – 1 (17–21, 21–11, 15–8)
2 Q Meppelink
van Iersel (NED)
W 2 – 0 (19–21, 21–13, 15–10)
 Larissa
Talita (BRA)
L 1 – 2 (23–21, 25–27, 13–15)
Did not advance

Related articles

This article is a child-friendly adaptation of the Wikipedia article on Switzerland at the 2016 Summer Olympics, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.