The marathon became part of the women’s Olympic track and field program in 1984. Athletes representing the Commonwealth of Independent States, Ethiopia, Japan, Portugal, Romania, and the United States have won the race. Japan has won the race twice, the most by a single nation. Although no woman has won the race more than once, several are multiple medalists, including 1984 bronze medalist Rosa Mota, of Portugal, who won gold in 1988; 1992 gold medalist Valentina Yegorova, of Russia, who won silver in 1996; and Catherine Ndereba, of Kenya, who won silver in 2004 and 2008.
Thirteen (13) nations/teams have won medals in the Olympic marathon. Japan leads the medal count with 4 (2 gold, 1 silver, 1 bronze), followed by Kenya with 3 (2 silver, 1 bronze), Romania with 2 (1 gold, 1 silver), Portugal with 2 (1 gold, 1 bronze), and United States with 2 (1 gold, 1 bronze). The Commonwealth of Independent States and Ethiopia have 1 gold medal each; Australia, Norway, and Russia have 1 silver medal each; China, German Democratic Republic, and New Zealand have 1 bronze medal each.
Twenty-two (22) nations/teams have scored points in the Olympic marathon. Japan leads scoring with 47 points, followed by Kenya (31), Romania (22), Portugal (20), Ethiopia (18), United States (16), China (15), Russia (15), Norway (13), Commonwealth of Independent States (11), Australia (10), Germany (10), New Zealand (10), Great Britain (6), German Democratic Republic (6), Soviet Union (5), Spain (4), Italy (4), North Korea (4), Serbia (3), Luxembourg (2), Canada (1).
