Bulgaria competed at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece, from 13 to 29 August 2004. This was the nation's seventeenth appearance at the Summer Olympics, except for three occasions, including the 1948 Summer Olympics in London due to the nation's role in World War II and 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles because of the Soviet boycott. The Bulgarian Olympic Committee sent 95 athletes, 49 men and 46 women, to compete in 19 sports. Shooting champion and four-time Olympian Mariya Grozdeva became the nation's first ever female flag bearer in the opening ceremony.
Bulgarian athletes have so far achieved qualifying standards in the following athletics events (up to a maximum of 3 athletes in each event at the 'A' Standard, and 1 at the 'B' Standard).
Bulgaria has qualified two spots in the women's singles and doubles.
Bulgaria sent five boxers to Athens, winning a bronze medal to join a five-way tie for 16th place in the boxing medals scoreboard. Their combined record was 5-5.
<small>Qualification Legend: Q = Qualify to final; q = Qualify to semifinal</small>
Bulgaria has qualified three gymnasts (two males and one female).
Bulgaria has qualified two judoka.
<small>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; R=Repechage</small>
<small>M = Medal race; OCS = On course side of the starting line; DSQ = Disqualified; DNF = Did not finish; DNS= Did not start; RDG = Redress given</small>
Bulgarian swimmers earned qualifying standards in the following events (up to a maximum of 2 swimmers in each event at the A-standard time, and 1 at the B-standard time):
Bulgaria has qualified the following quota places.