American Samoa at the 2008 Summer Olympics

Last updated

American Samoa at the
2008 Summer Olympics
Flag of American Samoa.svg
IOC code ASA
NOC American Samoa National Olympic Committee
in Beijing
Competitors4 in 3 sports
Flag bearer Silulu A'etonu
Medals
Gold
0
Silver
0
Bronze
0
Total
0
Summer Olympics appearances (overview)

American Samoa sent a team to the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China. The U.S. territory selected four athletes to compete in three sports: swimming, athletics and judo. [1] The dependency's participation in Beijing marked its seventh participation in any Olympic game since its debut at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, and its sixth participation at any Summer Olympic games. Of the four American Samoan athletes who participated in Beijing, all four were first-time Olympians and born outside American Samoa and none of the four advanced past the qualification or preliminary rounds of their events. More women participated in the 2008 American Samoan Olympic delegation than in any one delegation in its Olympic history. Judoka Silulu A'etonu was the territory's flagbearer at the ceremonies.

Contents

Background

American Samoa is a territory of the United States that lies in the South Pacific Ocean to the far east of Australia. The dependency's debut at the Olympics was at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul. Between 1988 and 2008, American Samoa sent a delegation to participate at seven Olympic games (six Summer Olympics and one Winter Olympics), not missing a single Summer Olympics since its first time in the competition. [2] In 2008, American Samoa's delegation was composed of four athletes, including two women, which is the greatest number of women to have competed for American Samoa at any one games. [2]

Silulu A'etonu, a first-time Olympian and a judoka, was American Samoa's flagbearer at the ceremonies. [2]

Athletics

Nineteen-year-old Los Angeles area-born athlete Shanahan Sanitoa participated on American Samoa's behalf at the Beijing Olympics. He was the only American Samoan Olympian involved in any track and field event. Also, his appearance in Beijing marked the first time he appeared in an Olympic games. [3] He participated in the fifth heat during the August 14 qualification round, completing the event in 12.60 seconds and placing last in his heat of eight athletes. Danny D'Souza of the Seychelles ranked just ahead of Sanitoa (11.00 seconds). The leaders of Sanitoa's heat included the United States' Tyson Gay (10.22 seconds) and Nigeria's Olusoji Fasuba (10.29 seconds). [4] Overall, the American Samoan runner ranked last out of the 80 athletes who participated in the qualification round. He did not progress to later rounds. [4]

Men
AthleteEventHeatQuarterfinalSemifinalFinal
ResultRankResultRankResultRankResultRank
Shanahan Sanitoa 100 m 12.608Did not advance
Key

Judo

Guam-born then 24-year-old judoka Silulu A'etonu was the only American Samoan participating in a judo event at the Beijing Olympics. She had not previously participated in any Olympic games. [5] The judoka represented American Samoa in the women's half-middleweight weight class (which includes competitors under 63 kilograms in weight). During the August 12 Round of 32 (the first round), Aetonu faced Germany's Anna von Harnier. [6] von Harnier defeated A`etonu by a kuchiki taoshi, scoring ippon. She did not advance to later rounds. [5]

Women
AthleteEventRound of 32Round of 16QuarterfinalsSemifinalsRepechage 1Repechage 2Repechage 3Final / BM
Opposition
Result
Opposition
Result
Opposition
Result
Opposition
Result
Opposition
Result
Opposition
Result
Opposition
Result
Opposition
Result
Rank
Silulu A'etonu −63 kg Flag of Germany.svg  von Harnier  (GER)
L 0000–1000
Did not advance

Swimming

The Beijing National Aquatics Center, where Glenister and Farmer participated in their events Cubeinside.jpg
The Beijing National Aquatics Center, where Glenister and Farmer participated in their events

Then 19 year-old West Point student Stewart Glenister, who was born in Fort Knox, Kentucky, competed on American Samoa's behalf at the Beijing Olympics in the men's 50 meters freestyle. He was the only American Samoan in the event, and did not previously compete at any Olympic games. [7] During the August 14 preliminary round, Glenister competed in the fourth heat, and finished the race in 25.45 seconds. He placed first in his heat of eight people, displacing Palestine's Hamza Abdo (25.60 seconds). [8] Overall, he ranked 71 out of the 97 participating athletes, and did not advance. [8]

Also, then 32 year-old San Luis Obispo-born swimmer Virginia Farmer represented American Samoa at the Beijing Olympics. Farmer was the only American Samoan in her event. Additionally, prior to Beijing, she had not participated in any Olympic games or event. [9] The preliminary round for the event took place on August 15, and Virginia Farmer participated in the fourth heat. She finished the race in 28.82 seconds, ranking third behind Swaziland's Senele Dlamini (28.70 seconds) and ahead of Bolivia's Katerine Moreno (29.05 seconds). The leader of Virginia's heat was Mozambique's Ximene Gomes (28.15 seconds). [10] Out of the 92 participating athletes, Farmer ranked 62nd. She also did not progress to later rounds. [10]

Men
AthleteEventHeatSemifinalFinal
TimeRankTimeRankTimeRank
Stewart Glenister 50 m freestyle 25.4571Did not advance
Women
AthleteEventHeatSemifinalFinal
TimeRankTimeRankTimeRank
Virginia Farmer 50 m freestyle 28.8262Did not advance

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maldives at the 2008 Summer Olympics</span> Sporting event delegation

The Maldives competed in the 2008 Summer Olympics, which were held in Beijing, China from August 8 to August 24, 2008. The country's participation at the Beijing Olympics marked its seventh appearance in the Summer Olympics since its debut at the 1988 Summer Olympics. The delegation included four athletes, two in athletics, and two in swimming who participated in four distinct events. Its four athletes did not advance past the first round in each of their events. Aminath Rouya Hussain carried the Maldivian flag during the parade of nations of the opening ceremony with sprinter Ali Shareef being the flagbearer for the closing ceremony. The country failed to win an Olympic medal at these Games and has yet to win their first medal.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Federated States of Micronesia at the 2008 Summer Olympics</span> Sporting event delegation

The Federated States of Micronesia sent a team of five athletes to compete at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China. The appearance of the delegation marked the third appearance by a Micronesian team at the Olympics since its debut at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia. Three male athletes and two female athletes comprised the Olympic team. None of the track or swimming athletes advanced past the qualification round, and Minginfel placed second to last in his event. There has yet to be a medalist from the Federated States of Micronesia. Minginfel held the Micronesian flag in the opening ceremony.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Solomon Islands at the 2008 Summer Olympics</span> Sporting event delegation

The Solomon Islands send a team to compete at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China. The country's delegation consisted of three athletes competing in two sports across three distinct events; Francis Manioru and Pauline Kwalea represented the Solomon Islands in track, while Wendy Hale competed in weightlifting. The arrival of the Solomon Islander delegation in Beijing marked its seventh appearance since its debut at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. The track athletes did not advance past the first rounds in their events. There were no medalists from the Solomon Islander athletes in these Games. Wendy Hale was the Solomon Islands' flagbearer during the Games' opening ceremony.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Grenada at the 2008 Summer Olympics</span> Sporting event delegation

Grenada competed in the 2008 Summer Olympics, held in Beijing, People's Republic of China from 8 to 24 August 2008. Nine athletes represented the country, eight track and field athletes and one boxer. Of the eight track and field competitors, five were women, and three were men. Although none of the athletes would win a medal, runners Allison George and Neisha Bernard-Thomas progressed past the qualification rounds, and participated on behalf of Grenada in the quarterfinals of their events. Grenada's Beijing delegation was their biggest at nine athletes, and marked the seventh consecutive appearance of Grenada at the Olympics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Haiti at the 2008 Summer Olympics</span> Sporting event delegation

Haiti sent a delegation to compete in the 2008 Summer Olympics held in Beijing, People's Republic of China, from August 8 to August 24, 2008. Its participation in Beijing marked its seventh consecutive appearance at the summer Olympics and its fourteenth appearance overall, with its first being at the 1900 Summer Olympics in Paris. The Haitian Olympic team included seven athletes participating in track and field, boxing, and judo. More women participated for Haiti in 2008 than at any single Olympic games prior. Although Pierre and Dorival advanced to quarterfinals in their events, there were no Haitian medalists in Beijing. Brutus carried his country's flag at the ceremonies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Puerto Rico at the 2008 Summer Olympics</span> Held in Beijing, Peoples Republic of China

Puerto Rico competed in the 2008 Summer Olympics which was held in Beijing, People's Republic of China from August 8 to August 24, 2008. The American territory with a population of four million people qualified 22 athletes in eight different sports. The appearance of the Puerto Rican delegation at the Beijing Olympics marked the commonwealth's sixteenth consecutive appearance at the Summer Olympics, and its twenty-second appearance at any Olympic Games, since its debut at the 1948 Summer Olympics in London, England. Of its competitors participating in events that involve progression by heats, six athletes advanced at least one round in their events, and two advanced at least two rounds, with Asunción Ocasio almost medaling bronze in taekwondo. However, there were no Puerto Rican medalists at the Beijing Olympics. McWilliams Arroyo, a boxer, bore Puerto Rico's flag at the ceremonies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sudan at the 2008 Summer Olympics</span> Sporting event delegation

Sudan sent a delegation to compete at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China. Nine competitors, all from the Darfur region and northern Sudan, represented Sudan at the Beijing games.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Guyana at the 2008 Summer Olympics</span> Sporting event delegation

Guyana sent a team to compete at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China. Four representatives of Guyana qualified to take part in the Beijing Games–Adam Harris, Marian Burnett, and Aliann Pompey in track, and Niall Roberts in swimming–and Pompey advanced past the first round in her event, progressing to semifinals. Meanwhile, Alika Morgan and Geron Williams (cycling) took part in the Games' Youth Olympics camp, held in Beijing at the same time as the Olympics. Along with coaches and administrative members, Guyana sent a total of ten people to Beijing. The appearance of Guyana's delegation in Beijing marked the fifteenth Guyanese Olympic delegation to appear at an Olympic games, which started with their participation as British Guiana in the 1948 Summer Olympics. There were no medalists from Guyana at the Beijing Olympics. Roberts was Guyana's flagbearer at the ceremonies in Beijing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Equatorial Guinea at the 2008 Summer Olympics</span> Sporting event delegation

Equatorial Guinea competed at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, which was held from 8 to 24 August 2008. The country's participation at Beijing marked its seventh appearance in the Summer Olympics since its début at the 1984 Summer Olympics. The delegation included the sprinter Reginaldo Ndong, middle-distance runner Emilia Mikue Ondo and half-middleweight judoka José Mba Nchama. Ndong and Mikue Ondo qualified for the Games through wildcard places and Mba Nchama entered through his ranking at the 2007 African Judo Championships. Mikue Ondo was chosen as the flag bearer for both the opening and closing ceremonies. Ndong and Mikue Ondo progressed no farther than the first round of their respective events and Mba Nchama was eliminated from contention in the second round of the contest.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Barbados at the 2008 Summer Olympics</span> Sporting event delegation

Barbados sent a delegation to compete at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China. The island nation made its tenth appearance as an independent nation upon its arrival in Beijing. Eight athletes across three sports and ten events represented Barbados, marking the smallest delegation in its history up to the Beijing Games. Its runners and swimmers advanced past the first rounds in their events in four of their nine events, although none advanced to their events' final rounds or medaled. The nation's flagbearer during the Beijing Games was swimmer Bradley Ally.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bolivia at the 2008 Summer Olympics</span> Sporting event delegation

Bolivia sent a delegation to compete at the 2008 Summer Olympics, held in Beijing, China. The South American country's delegation was the fifteenth Summer Olympic team and seventeenth overall Olympic team overall sent by the country. Bolivia's National Olympic Committee sent seven athletes–three women and four men–across five sports and seven distinct events. A substantial number of the athletes originated in southern Bolivian cities, most notably Santa Cruz de la Sierra. All athletes except for cyclist Horacio Gallardo finished their events, although no medals were won by the country at these Games. Trap shooter César Menacho was the Bolivian flag bearer at the ceremonies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cayman Islands at the 2008 Summer Olympics</span> Sporting event delegation

The Cayman Islands sent a delegation to compete at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China. The delegation included fifteen people; of the delegation, four athletes participated under the Caymanian flag. In the track and field events was Ronald Forbes, who also served as the Cayman Islands' flag-bearer during the Opening Ceremony and reached quarterfinals in the 110m hurdles, and Cydonie Mothersille, who reached finals and ranked eighth in the 200m dash. Brothers Shaune and Brett Fraser, both swimmers, participated in the 100 and 200m freestyle and in the 200m backstroke, respectively. The Cayman Islands' appearance at the Beijing Olympics marked its ninth appearance since its debut at the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal. The Cayman Islands, up to and including Beijing, have yet to medal.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dominica at the 2008 Summer Olympics</span> Sporting event delegation

Dominica sent a delegation of eight people, including two athletes, to compete at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China. Its appearance in Beijing marked the fourth time a delegation from Dominica participated in an Olympic games since its debut at the 1996 Olympic games, one of its smallest delegations in its history and the first Dominican delegation that did not include female athletes. Chris Lloyd ran for Dominica in the men's 200 meters and Erison Hurtault participated in the men's 400 meters. Neither advanced past the qualification rounds. Lloyd was also supposed to compete in the men's 400 meters, but did not participate in it. Track coach Jérôme Romain was the country's flag bearer at the Olympics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Suriname at the 2008 Summer Olympics</span> Sporting event delegation

Suriname sent a delegation of four people to compete at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China: two athletes (Jurgen Themen and Kirsten Nieuwendam and two swimmers who participated in four distinct events. The appearance of Suriname at Beijing marked its tenth Olympic appearance, which included every Olympic games since the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City and excluded the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow. Its four athletes did not advance past the first round in each of their events. The Surinamese flag bearer in Beijing was not an athlete, but Anthony Nesty, the only medalist in Surinamese history and the nation's Olympic swimming coach.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trinidad and Tobago at the 2008 Summer Olympics</span> Sporting event delegation

Trinidad and Tobago sent a delegation to compete at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China. Its participation in the Beijing games marked its eighteenth Olympic appearance and fifteenth Summer Olympic appearance since its debut at the 1948 Summer Olympics in London, excluding its joint participation with Jamaica and Barbados in 1960 as the West Indies Federation. With 28 athletes, more Trinidadians had competed at the Olympics than in any other single Olympic Games in its history before Beijing. Athletes representing Trinidad and Tobago advanced past the preliminary or qualification rounds in twelve events and reached the final rounds in four of those events. Of those four events, silver medals were won in the men's 100 meters and in the men's 4x100 meters relay. The latter was upgraded to gold due to one member of the quartet that crossed the line first, Nesta Carter, testing positive for a banned substance, resulting in their disqualification. The nation's flag bearer at the opening ceremony that year was swimmer and Athens medalist George Bovell.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Central African Republic at the 2008 Summer Olympics</span> Sporting event delegation

The Central African Republic sent three competitors to the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China. Béranger Bosse and Mireille Derebona represented the nation in track events, while Bruno Bongongo participated on the Central African Republic's behalf in boxing. Of those athletes, none progressed past the first rounds of their events. The appearance of the Central African delegation at the Beijing Olympics marked its eighth appearance since the nation's debut at the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City and its seventh consecutive appearance at the Summer Olympics. At the ceremonies, Derebona was the nation's flag bearer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chad at the 2008 Summer Olympics</span> Sporting event delegation

Chad sent a delegation of two athletes to compete at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China: Moumi Sébergué, who competed in the men's 100 meters, and Hinikissia Albertine Ndikert, who competed in the women's 100 meters and also bore the Chadian flag during ceremonies. The appearance of this delegation marked the tenth appearance of Chad at the Summer Olympics, the first been in 1964 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan, and its seventh appearance since its Olympic hiatus between 1976 and 1980. Both Sébergué and Ndikert ranked seventh in their respective heats and did not advance past the qualification round. As of the end of the 2012 London Olympics, there have been no medalists from Chad.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Republic of the Congo at the 2008 Summer Olympics</span> Sporting event delegation

The Republic of the Congo sent a delegation to compete at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Niger at the 2008 Summer Olympics</span> Sporting event delegation

Niger sent five athletes, their second largest contingent ever, equalling the most sports in which they have participated. to compete at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China. It was Niger's 10th Olympics; their only medalist has been Issaka Dabore, in boxing, at the 1972 games.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Djibouti at the 2020 Summer Olympics</span> Sporting event delegation

Djibouti competed at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. Originally scheduled to take place from 24 July to 9 August 2020, the Games were postponed to 23 July to 8 August 2021, because of the COVID-19 pandemic. This was the nation's ninth appearance at the Summer Olympics; Djibouti did not field any athletes at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens. The delegation consisted of four athletes, three men and one women, competing in five events across three sports. Two athletes participated in the judo and swimming tournaments: Aden-Alexandre Houssein and Houssein Gaber Ibrahim. Athlete Ayanleh Souleiman, a returning competitor from the 2016 Rio Olympics competed in the men's 800 metres and 1500 metres events. Souhra Ali Mohamed, who had previously participated in the 2012 Summer Olympics competed in the women's 1500 metres event. Houssein lead the Djiboutian squad as the flagbearer in the opening ceremony with Souhra being the flagbearer for the closing ceremony.

References

  1. "American Samoans excited to compete" Archived October 22, 2008, at the Wayback Machine , KHNL, August 1, 2008
  2. 1 2 3 "American Samoa". Sports-reference.com. 2008. Archived from the original on April 17, 2020. Retrieved July 3, 2012.
  3. "Shanahan Sanitoa". Sports-reference.com. 2008. Archived from the original on April 18, 2020. Retrieved July 3, 2012.
  4. 1 2 "2008 Summer Olympics Results - Track and Field - Men's 100m Results". ESPN. 2008. Archived from the original on August 19, 2008. Retrieved July 3, 2012.
  5. 1 2 "Silulu A'etonu". Sports-reference.com. 2008. Archived from the original on April 18, 2020. Retrieved July 3, 2012.
  6. "2008 Summer Olympics Results - Judo - Women's -63kg Results". ESPN. 2008. Archived from the original on September 29, 2008. Retrieved July 3, 2012.
  7. "Stewart Glenister". Sports-reference.com. 2008. Archived from the original on April 18, 2020. Retrieved July 3, 2012.
  8. 1 2 "2008 Summer Olympic Results - Swimming - Men's 50m Freestyle Results". ESPN. 2008. Archived from the original on August 19, 2008. Retrieved July 3, 2012.
  9. "Virginia Farmer". Sports-reference.com. 2008. Archived from the original on April 18, 2020. Retrieved July 3, 2012.
  10. 1 2 "2008 Summer Olympics Results - Swimming - Women's 50m Freestyle Results". ESPN. 2008. Archived from the original on September 5, 2008. Retrieved July 3, 2012.