São Tomé and Príncipe at the 2008 Summer Olympics

São Tomé and Príncipe participated in every Summer Olympic Games between its debut in the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta and the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing.[1] In Beijing, the nation was making its fourth appearance at the Olympics, having never competed in a Winter Olympic Games.[1] With three competitors, this was the most participants ever sent to an Olympics by São Tomé and Príncipe. The country had never won a medal in Olympic competition.[1] Long-distance runner Celma Bonfim da Graça was selected as the flagbearer for the parade of nations at the opening ceremony.[2] An unknown assistant of the National Olympic Committee carried the flag in the closing ceremony.[3]

Naiel Santiago D'Almeida was 21 years old at the time of the 2008 Olympics, and competing in his first Olympics.[4] On 18 August 2008, he took part in the heats of the Men's 400 meters race. He was drawn into the 7th and final heat of the race, a race he finished in 49.08 seconds. This was last in his heat, and the second slowest time of all the competitors. As such, he failed to advance to the semi-finals.[5]

Long-distance runner Celma Bonfim da Graça, who was making her Olympic debut, was 30 years old at the time, making her São Tomé and Príncipe's oldest competitor at these Games.[4] At the time, she was the country's oldest Olympian ever, a record she would herself beat at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.[1] On 19 August 2008 she took part in the first heat of the women's 5,000 metres, a heat she finished in 17 minutes and 25.99 seconds. This was in 16th and last place of that race, and she did not qualify for the final.[6]

Sprint canoeist Alcino Silva was 17 years old at the time of the competition.[4] On 18 August 2008 he took part in the Men's K-1 1,000 metres, he was drawn into in the second of three heats. He finished the race with a time of 4 minutes and 28.05, ninth and last in his heat. Only the top 7 of each heat were able to advance in the competition.[7] The next day he took part in the heats of the Men's K-1 500 metres competition. He was placed into the third of four heats, and finished his heat in 6th (out of 7 competitors), with a time of 1 minute and 58 seconds. Being in the top 6 of his heat, Alcino advanced to the semi-finals.[8] In the semi-finals, held on 21 August, he was drawn into heat three. This time, only the top three from each semi-final would be allowed to advance to the final. He finished 9th and last in his heat with a time of 2 minutes and 6 seconds, and was eliminated.[9]