Swaziland at the 2008 Summer Olympics

Swaziland sent a team to the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China, from August 8 to August 24. This was Swaziland's eighth time taking part in the Summer Olympic Games. The team had four athletes: two track and field runners, Isaiah Msibi and Temalangeni Dlamini, and two swimmers, Luke Hall and Senele Dlamini. None of the athletes moved past the first round in their events.

Background

The Swaziland Olympic and Commonwealth Games Association was recognized by the International Olympic Committee on 1 January 1972. Swaziland first took part in the Summer Olympic Games in the 1972 Summer Olympics. They missed the 1976 Summer Olympics and joined a boycott of the 1980 Summer Olympics, but have joined every Summer Olympics since the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics. This made the 2008 Beijing Olympics Swaziland's eighth time joining in. The games happened from August 8 to 24, 2008, with athletes from 204 National Olympic Committees.

Swaziland sent four athletes to Beijing: two track and field athletes, Isaiah Msibi and Temalangeni Dlamini, and two swimmers, Luke Hall and Senele Dlamini. Temalangeni Dlamini carried the flag at the opening ceremony, and Hall did the same at the closing ceremony.

Athletics

Main article: Athletics at the 2008 Summer Olympics

Two athletes from Swaziland took part in the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. Temalangeni Dlamini, a 21-year-old woman, ran in the women's 400 meters on August 16. She finished seventh in her heat and did not move on to the next round. The gold medal in this event was won by Christine Ohuruogu from Great Britain.

Isaiah Msibi, a 24-year-old man, ran in the men's 1500 meters on August 15. He finished 12th in his heat and did not advance. Asbel Kiprop from Morocco won the gold medal in this race.

Swimming

Main article: Swimming at the 2008 Summer Olympics

Luke Hall, who was 19 years old, competed for Swaziland in the men’s 50 meter freestyle. He finished the race in 24.41 seconds, placing 60th out of 97 athletes. Only the top 16 moved on to the next round. The gold medal was won by César Cielo from Brazil.

Senele Dlamini, aged 16, was also competing in her first Olympics. She swam the women’s 50 meter freestyle and finished in 28.70 seconds, placing 61st out of 90 competitors. Again, only the top 16 advanced. The gold medal was won by Britta Steffen from Germany.