Kiribati at the 2012 Summer Olympics

The Oceanic island nation of Kiribati competed at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, held from July 27 – August 12, 2012. This was the nation's third appearance at the Olympics.

Kiribati at the
2012 Summer Olympics
IOC codeKIR
NOCKiribati National Olympic Committee
Websitewww.oceaniasport.com/kiribati
in London
Competitors3 in 2 sports
Flag bearer David Katoatau
Medals
Gold
0
Silver
0
Bronze
0
Total
0
Summer Olympics appearances (overview)

Three athletes from Kiribati were selected to compete in the Olympics: two in athletics and one in weightlifting. Kiribati also planned to send two athletes to compete in boxing, but the nation failed to qualify.[1] Weightlifter David Katoatau, the oldest member of the delegation, reprised his role as national flag bearer at the opening ceremony. Kiribati has yet to win its first Olympic medal.

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.[2]:311 Kiribati's first Games was in 2004.[3] The 2012 Olympics were Kiribati's third Games. In past Games, I-Kiribatis have participated in weightlifting and athletics.[4]

David Katoatau was selected as Kiribati's opening ceremonies flag bearer for the second consecutive Olympics.[5] He was also the flag bearer for the closing ceremonies.[6] As of these Olympics, Kiribati has not won an Olympic medal.[4]

Athletics
Main article: Athletics at the 2012 Summer Olympics

Nooa Takooa competed at age 19 in the men's 100 meter dash, his first Olympic appearance.[7] Takooa finished with a time of 11.53 seconds, seventh in his heat and 25th out of 29 overall.[8] Takooa's time was a personal best, but he did not advance to the next round.[9]

The 2012 Olympics were 17-year old Kaingaue David's first Games.[10] She competed in the women's 100 meter event, finishing the preliminary heat with a personal best time of 13.61 seconds.[11][12] David finished last in her heat and 29th out of 33 in the preliminary round.[13]

Key
  • Note–Ranks given for track events are within the athlete's heat only

Men
Athlete Event Heat Quarterfinal Semifinal Final
Result Rank Result Rank Result Rank Result Rank
Nooa Takooa 100 m 11.53 7 Did not advance

Women
Athlete Event Heat Quarterfinal Semifinal Final
Result Rank Result Rank Result Rank Result Rank
Kaingaue David 100 m 13.61 8 Did not advance

Weightlifting
Main article: Weightlifting at the 2012 Summer Olympics

These Games were David Katoatau's second Olympics. He became the first I-Kiribati in the country's history to qualify for the Olympics on merit.[14] Katoatau competed in the men's 94 kg weightlifting group. He placed 17th in the competition, with a snatch of 140, a clean and jerk of 185, combined for a total of 325.[15]

Athlete Event Snatch Clean & Jerk Total Rank
Result Rank Result Rank
David Katoatau Men's −94 kg 140 17 185 16 325 17

References
  1. "Kiribati National Olympic Committee – The two I-Kiribati boxers performed admirably in Canberra, but will not be going to London". Kiribati National Olympic Committee. Retrieved June 25, 2018.
  2. Grasso, John; Mallon, Bill; Heijmans, Jeroen (May 14, 2015). Historical Dictionary of the Olympic Movement. Rowman & Littlefield.
  3. Bingham, Eugene (July 31, 2004). "First-time Olympians beat odds". NZ Herald. Retrieved May 5, 2018.
  4. "Kiribati". Sports Reference. Archived from the original on April 17, 2020. Retrieved May 6, 2018.
  5. "London 2012 Opening Ceremony - Flag Bearers" (PDF). Olympic.org. Retrieved June 30, 2018.
  6. "London 2012 Closing Ceremony - Flag Bearers" (PDF). Olympic.org. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 15, 2016. Retrieved June 30, 2018.
  7. "Nooa Takooa". Sports Reference. Archived from the original on April 18, 2020. Retrieved May 4, 2018.
  8. "Results for Men's 100m". ESPN. Retrieved May 4, 2018.
  9. ""Super Saturday" For the Youth Olympic Games and YOG Ambassadors". Olympic.org. Retrieved May 4, 2018.
  10. "Kaingaue David". Sports Reference. Archived from the original on April 18, 2020. Retrieved May 4, 2018.
  11. "Olympics-Women's athletics 100m heats - results". Reuters. August 3, 2012. Retrieved May 4, 2018.
  12. Rapleye, Christine (August 4, 2012). "Mormons competing in the 2012 London Olympics". Deseret News. Retrieved May 4, 2018.
  13. "100 m Women". Olympic.org. Retrieved May 4, 2018.
  14. Dreaver, Barbara (May 27, 2016). "Kiribati weightlifter dances with joy after reaching Olympic qualification mark". Retrieved May 3, 2018.
  15. "David Katoatau". Sports Reference. Archived from the original on April 18, 2020. Retrieved May 3, 2018.
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