Kiribati at the 2008 Summer Olympics explained

Noc:KIR
Nocname:Kiribati National Olympic Committee
Games:Summer Olympics
Year:2008
Location:Beijing
Competitors:2
Sports:2
Flagbearer:David Katoatau
Gold:0
Silver:0
Bronze:0
Appearances:auto
App Begin Year:2004

Kiribati competed in the Summer Olympic Games for the second time at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China, following their debut appearance in the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece. The country had intended to send a total of three athletes to the Games, competing in two sports: athletics and weightlifting. Female sprinter Kaitinano Mwemweata had to withdraw due to illness after contracting tuberculosis.

Background

Kiribati had interest in Olympic participation in the 1980s, and the country later formed their National Olympic Committee (NOC) in 2002, which was recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in 2003.[1] Kiribati's first Games was in 2004.[2] As of these Olympics, Kiribati had never won an Olympic medal.[3]

Weightlifter David Katoatau was Kiribati's flag bearer for the opening ceremonies.[4] The flag bearer for the closing ceremony was Kiribati NOC president Birimaka Tekanene.[5]

Athletics (track and field)

See main article: Athletics at the 2008 Summer Olympics. Kaitinano Mwemweata fell ill and did not participate in the Olympics, and was treated for tuberculosis instead.[6] Her withdrawal left Kiribati with one representative in athletics. Rabangaki Nawai was entered in the 100 meter and 200 meter sprint events. Nawai ran a personal season's best time of 11.29 seconds in the first round of the 100 meter sprint. He had the fastest reaction time in the heat, but placed last, and failed to progress to the next round.[7] He did not run in the 200 meter competition for undisclosed reasons.[8] [9]

Key

Weightlifting

See main article: Weightlifting at the 2008 Summer Olympics. David Katoatau represented Kiribati in the men's 85 kg class of the weightlifting competition, qualifying by wildcard.[10] He finished in 15th place, ahead of Terrence Dixie of Seychelles and five lifters who did not finish the event.[11]

References

Notes and References

  1. Book: Historical Dictionary of the Olympic Movement. Grasso. John. Mallon. Bill. Heijmans. Jeroen. Rowman & Littlefield. 14 May 2015.
  2. Web site: First-time Olympians beat odds. 31 July 2004. NZ Herald. Bingham. Eugene. 5 May 2018.
  3. Web site: Kiribati. https://web.archive.org/web/20200417093328/https://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/countries/KIR/. dead. 17 April 2020. Sports Reference. 6 May 2018.
  4. Web site: David Katoatau. Olympic.org. 7 May 2018.
  5. Web site: Closing Ceremony Flag bearers. Olympic.org. 28 August 2012. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20120828135237/http://www.olympic.org/Documents/Reports/EN/en_report_1362.pdf.
  6. Web site: Kiribati athletes ready for Olympic competition. https://web.archive.org/web/20080908021311/http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/news/stories/200808/s2334332.htm?tab=sport. 8 September 2008. ABC Radio Australia. dead.
  7. Web site: Rabangaki's season's best!. Kiribati Athletics Association. 17 May 2018. 15 August 2008.
  8. Web site: Kiribati sends three athletes to Beijing Olympics. https://web.archive.org/web/20080824190853/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-08/05/content_8972570.htm. 24 August 2008. dead. 5 August 2008. Xinhua News Agency. 28 June 2018.
  9. Web site: 200m Men. Olympic.org. 27 June 2018.
  10. Web site: Hale to Olympics. Solomon Star. 14 July 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20081025193405/http://www.solomonstarnews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2153&change=100&changeown=102&Itemid=42. 25 October 2008. dead. 7 May 2018.
  11. Web site: 2008 Summer Olympics Results - Weightlifting. ESPN. 17 May 2018.
  12. Web site: Weightlifting at the 2008 Beijing Summer Games: Men's Light-Heavyweight. https://web.archive.org/web/20200418124920/https://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/summer/2008/WLT/mens-light-heavyweight.html. dead. 18 April 2020. Sports Reference. 27 June 2018.