Cameroon at the 2002 Winter Olympics

Cameroon sent a delegation to compete at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, United States from 8–24 February 2002. This was the nation's first appearance at a Winter Olympic Games. Cameroon sent only one representative, cross-country skier Isaac Menyoli. He finished the sprint in 65th place and the 2 × 10 kilometre pursuit in 80th position.

Cameroon at the
2002 Winter Olympics
IOC codeCMR
NOCCameroon Olympic and Sports Committee
Websitewww.cnosc.org (in French)
in Salt Lake City
Competitors1 in 1 sport
Flag bearer Isaac Menyoli
Medals
Gold
0
Silver
0
Bronze
0
Total
0
Winter Olympics appearances (overview)

Background

The Cameroon Olympic and Sports Committee was recognised by the International Olympic Committee on 31 December 1962.[1] The country began participating in Summer Olympics soon after, in 1964, and have participated in every Summer Olympics since.[2] Salt Lake City was Cameroon's first appearance at a Winter Olympic Games.[2] The 2002 Winter Olympics were held from 8–24 February 2002; a total of 2,399 athletes representing 77 National Olympic Committees took part.[3] Cameroon sent one athlete to the Salt Lake City Olympics, cross-country skier Isaac Menyoli.[4][5] He was selected as the flag bearer for the opening ceremony[6] while a ceremony volunteer carried the Cameroonian flag for the closing ceremony.[7]

Cross-country skiing
Main article: Cross-country skiing at the 2002 Winter Olympics

Isaac Menyoli was 29 years old at the time of the Salt Lake City Olympics, and was dedicated to use his Olympic participation to promote the cause of AIDS education in his native country.[8] He was living in Wisconsin, and took up skiing in earnest only the year before, and competed successfully in five qualifying races.[8] About Cameroon, Menyoli said "My friends think it is very stupid; we celebrate the Summer Olympics at home but the Winter Olympics are unheard of,"[9] On 14 February, he took part in the 2 × 10 kilometre pursuit, finishing the first classical 10 kilometres in 45 minutes and 40.3 seconds, ranking 80th and last.[10] Only the top 60 were allowed to proceed to the second 10 kilometre freestyle portion, and Menyoli was eliminated, the slowest qualifying time being 29 minutes and 4.6 seconds.[10] Five days later, on 19 February, he was a competitor in the sprint, finishing the qualifying round in a time of 4 minutes and 10.07 seconds. Only the top 16 could advance to the next round, and he was again eliminated; the slowest qualifying time was 2 minutes and 53.87 seconds.[11] He ended the event in 65th place out of 69 classified finishers.[12]

Athlete Event Race
Time Rank
Isaac Menyoli 2 × 10 kilometre pursuit 45:40.3 80
Sprint
Athlete Event Qualifying Quarterfinal Semifinal Final
Total Rank Total Rank Total Rank Total Rank
Isaac Menyoli Sprint 4:10.07 65 Did not advance 66

References
  1. "Cameroon – National Olympic Committee (NOC)". International Olympic Committee. Archived from the original on 7 March 2018. Retrieved 1 August 2018.
  2. "Cameroon". Sports Reference. Archived from the original on 22 May 2018. Retrieved 1 August 2018.
  3. "Salt Lake City 2002 Winter Games Olympics – results & video highlights". International Olympic Committee. Retrieved 11 August 2018.
  4. Bower, Amanda (21 February 2002). "In Praise of the Lone Olympians". Time. Archived from the original on 12 March 2016. Retrieved 1 August 2018.
  5. "Cameroon at the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Games". Sports Reference. Archived from the original on 24 July 2017. Retrieved 1 August 2018.
  6. "List of the 77 delegations in the order they will enter the stadium and the name of their flag bearer" (PDF). International Olympic Committee. Archived (PDF) from the original on 28 February 2017. Retrieved 24 July 2018.
  7. "Flag Bearers for the Closing Ceremony". International Olympic Committee. 24 February 2002. Archived from the original on 15 October 2016. Retrieved 30 July 2018.
  8. Chu, Jeff (4 February 2002). "Isaac Menyoli: Man On a Mission". Time. Archived from the original on 11 March 2016. Retrieved 1 August 2018.
  9. Mackay, Duncan (8 February 2002). "It's the taking part that counts". TheGuardian.com. Archived from the original on 6 March 2016. Retrieved 1 August 2018.
  10. "Cross Country Skiing at the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Games: Men's 10/10 kilometres Pursuit 10 kilometres, Classical". Sports Reference. Archived from the original on 7 July 2017. Retrieved 1 August 2018.
  11. "Cross Country Skiing at the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Games: Men's Sprint Qualifying Round". Sports Reference. Archived from the original on 23 March 2018. Retrieved 1 August 2018.
  12. "Cross Country Skiing at the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Games: Men's Sprint". Sports Reference. Archived from the original on 16 February 2018. Retrieved 1 August 2018.
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