Somalia at the 2008 Summer Olympics

Somalia sent a delegation to compete at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China. This was Somalia's seventh time taking part in the Summer Olympics, starting from the 1972 Games. The team included two athletes who competed in track and field events: sprinter Samiya Yuusf Omar and long-distance runner Abdinasir Said Ibrahim. Both athletes did not move past the first round in their events. Omar's story, which included training in Mogadishu during a difficult time in her country’s history, the Somali Civil War, gained attention from the media. Her story was later told in a graphic novel after her passing.

Background

Somalia took part in seven Summer Olympics, starting with the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich, West Germany, and ending with the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China. The most athletes from Somalia competed at the 1984 Games in Los Angeles, United States, with seven athletes. No athlete from Somalia has ever won an Olympic medal.

Two athletes represented Somalia in 2008: Abdinasir Said Ibrahim ran in the Men's 5000 metres, and Samiya Yuusf Omar ran in the Women's 200 metres. Duran Farah, a Somali official, carried the country’s flag during the Parade of Nations.

Athletics

Main article: Athletics at the 2008 Summer Olympics

Somalia had two athletes at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China. Abdinasir Said Ibrahim, an 18-year-old runner, competed in the 5000 metres. He finished in 12th place in his heat. Samiya Yuusf Omar, a 16-year-old woman, was the only female athlete from Somalia at the Games. She ran the 200 metres and finished last in her heat. She faced many challenges at home but continued to train with support from her mother.