Azerbaijan is a country possessing old sport traditions. In the first period of the holding of modern Olympic Games, precisely in the beginning of the passed century rapid development of sport has started in the capital of Azerbaijan in Baku, which was regarded as the biggest oil country of the world for that time. Clubs on wrestling, athletics, football, water sport disciplines, gymnastics were created in the city. Those times the country was a part of Russia and participation of our athletes at the Olympic Games depended on the participation of Russia. Russia joined the Olympic Games held in 1912. There were 178 athletes in Russia team. It is difficult to say whether there were Azerbaijani athletes among them or not. Taking into consideration the history of development of wrestling and some other sport disciplines in Azerbaijan we can say with certain confidence that athletes from our country could be members of Russia team participated at the Olympic Games in 1912.

Though Azerbaijan gained independence in 1920 it couldn't preserve it for a long time. Soviet power was established in Azerbaijan. The country became a part of the USSR.

USSR National Olympic Committee was created in 1951. In 1952 USSR took part at the Olympic Games. From 1952 to 1992 athletes of Azerbaijan began to participate at the Olympic Games as members of the USSR national team. In 1991 Azerbaijan regained its independence. As the IOC had not recognized the National Olympic Committee, which was created in 1992, Azerbaijani athletes had to participate at Barcelona Games as members of the national team of the Commonwealth of the Independent States. 1996 was depicted to the history of Azerbaijan Olympic Movement as participation of the country as an independent state at the Olympic Games for the first time. So basing on the above mentioned facts we can state that Azeri athletes have begun to participate at the Olympic Games since 1952. In general, participation of Azerbaijan at the Olympic Games could be divided into following periods:

-the participation of Azerbaijani athletes as members of the USSR national team at the Olympic Games (1952-1988)

-the participation of Azerbaijani athletes as members of the Commonwealth of the Independent States team at the Olympic Games (1992)

-the joining of Azerbaijan the Olympic Movement and participation at the Olympic Games (since 1992).