Djibouti took part in the 2008 Summer Olympics, which were held in Beijing, China from 8 to 24 August 2008.[1] The country's participation at Beijing marked its sixth appearance in the Summer Olympics since its debut in 1984.[1] The Djibouti delegation included two athletes in 2008; Mahamoud Farah, a middle-distance runner, and Fathia Ali Bouraleh, a sprinter. Hussein Ahmed Salah, Djibouti's only Olympic medalist, was selected as the flag bearer for both the opening and closing ceremonies despite not competing in 2008.[2] None of the Djiboutian athletes progressed further than the heat round.[3]
| Djibouti at the 2008 Summer Olympics | |
|---|---|
 | |
| IOC code | DJI |
| NOC | Comité National Olympique Djiboutien |
| in Beijing | |
| Competitors | 2 in 1 sports |
| Flag bearer | Hussein Ahmed Salah |
| Medals |
|
| Summer Olympics appearances (overview) | |
Background
editDjibouti participated in five summer Olympic games between its debut in the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, United States of America and the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing.[1] Djibouti made their Olympic debut in 1984, sending three athletes to the games.[4] The most number of Djiboutian athletes participating in a summer games is eight[1] in the 1992 games in Barcelona, Spain.[5] Only one Djiboutian athlete has ever won a medal at the Olympics, that was Hussein Ahmed Salah, a marathon runner, who won a bronze medal in the 1988 marathon.[6] Two athletes from Djibouti were selected to compete in the Beijing games; Mahamoud Farah in the track and field 1500 meters and Fathia Ali Bouraleh in the track and field 100 m.[3]
Athletics
editDjibouti was represented by one male athlete at the 2008 Olympics in athletics:[3] Mahamoud Farah, a 1500 meters runner.[3] It was Farah's Olympic debut but he had previously competed in the 2007 IAAF World Championships.[7] He competed on 15 August in Beijing,[8] and finished 8th out of 12 in heat four[a] in a time of 3 minutes and 43.62 seconds.[8] He was 8.83 seconds behind the winner of his heat, Mohamed Moustaoui.[8] Overall he finished 42nd out of 53 athletes,[a] and he was 1.32 seconds slower than the slowest athlete that progressed to the semi-final round and, therefore, that was the end of his competition.[9]
Competing at her first Olympics,[10] Fathia Ali Bouraleh was the oldest competitor for Djibouti at these Olympics, aged 20.[11] She competed in the 100 meters on 16 August.[12] Ali Bouraleh was drawn into heat four.[12] Ali Bouraleh ran a time of 14.29 seconds and finished last in her heat, 2.99 second behind the winner, Chandra Sturrup.[12] She finished 84th out of 85 athletes overall and was 0.51 seconds faster than the slowest athlete, Robina Muqimyar.[13] She was 3.16 seconds behind the fastest athlete and 2.64 seconds behind the slowest athlete who progressed to the semi-finals, Thi Huong Vu.[13] Therefore, Ali Bouraleh did not progress to the quarter-finals.[13]
- Key
- Note–Ranks given for track events are within the athlete's heat only
- Q = Qualified for the next round
- q = Qualified for the next round as a fastest loser or, in field events, by position without achieving the qualifying target
- NR = National record
- N/A = Round not applicable for the event
- Bye = Athlete not required to compete in round
| Athlete | Event | Heat | Quarterfinal | Semifinal | Final | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Result | Rank | Result | Rank | Result | Rank | Result | Rank | ||
| Fathia Ali Bouraleh | Women's 100 m | 14.29 | 8 | did not advance | |||||
| Mahamoud Farah | Men's 1500 m | 3:43.62 | 9 | — | did not advance | ||||
Notes
edit- ^ a b One athlete, Rashid Ramzi, was disqualified.[8]
References
edit- ^ a b c d "Sports Reference – Countries – Djibouti". Sports Reference. Archived from the original on 17 April 2020. Retrieved 22 September 2014.
- ^ "List of flagbearers Bejing [sic] 2008" (PDF). olympic.org. 8 August 2008. p. 1. Retrieved 21 September 2014.
- ^ a b c d "Sports Reference – Beijing 2008 – Djibouti – Athletics". Sports Reference. Archived from the original on 17 April 2020. Retrieved 22 September 2014.
- ^ "Sports Reference – Los Angeles 1984 – Djibouti". Sports Reference. Archived from the original on 17 April 2020. Retrieved 22 September 2014.
- ^ "Sports Reference – Barcelona 1992 – Djibouti". Sports Reference. Archived from the original on 17 April 2020. Retrieved 22 September 2014.
- ^ "Sports Reference – Seoul 1998 – Djibouti – Athletics". Sports Reference. Archived from the original on 17 April 2020. Retrieved 22 September 2014.
- ^ "IAAF – Athletes – Djibouti – Mahamoud Farah – Honours". IAAF. Retrieved 22 September 2014.
- ^ a b c d "IAAF – Results – Olympic Games – 2008 – Men – 1500 meters – Heats – Results". IAAF. Retrieved 22 September 2014.
- ^ "IAAF – Results – Olympic Games – 2008 – Men – 1500 meters – Heats – Summary". IAAF. Retrieved 22 September 2014.
- ^ "Sports Reference – Olympics – Athletes – Djibouti – Fathia Ali Bouraleh". Sports Reference. Archived from the original on 18 April 2020. Retrieved 22 September 2014.
- ^ "Sports Reference – Beijing 2008 – Djibouti". Sports Reference. Archived from the original on 17 April 2020. Retrieved 22 September 2014.
- ^ a b c "IAAF – Results – Olympic Games – 2008 – Women – 100 meters – Heats – Results". IAAF. Retrieved 21 September 2014.
- ^ a b c "IAAF – Results – Olympic Games – 2008 – Women – 100 meters – Heats – Summary". IAAF. Retrieved 21 September 2014.