Lesotho at the 2020 Summer Olympics

Lesotho at the 2020 Summer Olympics
IOC code	LES
NOC	Lesotho National Olympic Committee
in Tokyo, Japan July 23, 2021 (2021-07-23) – August 8, 2021 (2021-08-08)
Competitors	2 in 1 sport
Flag bearer (opening)	TOCOG volunteer
Flag bearer (closing)	Neheng Khatala
Medals	Gold 0 Silver 0 Bronze 0 Total 0
Summer Olympics appearances (overview)
1972 1976 1980 1984 1988 1992 1996 2000 2004 2008 2012 2016 2020 2024

Lesotho competed at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. Originally scheduled to take place from 24 July to 9 August 2020, the Games have been postponed to 23 July to 8 August 2021, because of the COVID-19 pandemic. It was the nation's twelfth appearance at the Summer Olympics, with the exception of the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal, because of its partial support to the African boycott. Lesotho was the third to last nation to enter before the Lebanon, USA, and France.

Background

The Lesotho National Olympic Committee was recognized by the International Olympic Committee on 1 January 1972. ^[1] The Tokyo Olympics were their twelfth appearance in Olympic competition, they have participated in every Summer Olympic Games since the 1972 Summer Olympics except the 1976 Montreal Games. ^[2] The nation has yet to make its debut at the Winter Olympic Games, and they have never won an Olympic medal. ^[2] The 2020 Summer Olympics were originally scheduled to take place from 24 July to 9 August 2020, but the Games were postponed to 23 July to 8 August 2021, because of the COVID-19 pandemic. ^[3]

Competitors

The following is the list of number of competitors in the Games.

Sport	Men	Women	Total
Athletics	1	1	2
Total	1	1	2

Athletics

Main articles: Athletics at the 2020 Summer Olympics and Athletics at the 2020 Summer Olympics – Qualification

Lesotho athletes achieved the World Athletics entry standards, by qualifying time, in the following track and field events: ^{[4] [5]}

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

Track & road events

Athlete	Event	Final
		Result	Rank
Khoarahlane Seutloali	Men's marathon	2:25:03 SB	67
Neheng Khatala	Women's marathon	2:33:15	20

See also

• Lesotho at the 2019 African Games

References

1. "Lesotho – National Olympic Committee (NOC)". International Olympic Committee . Retrieved 30 October 2018.
2. "Lesotho". Sports Reference. Archived from the original on 17 April 2020. Retrieved 30 October 2018.
3. "Joint Statement from the International Olympic Committee and the Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee". Olympics. 24 March 2020. Retrieved 28 March 2020.
4. "iaaf.org – Top Lists". IAAF. Retrieved 8 April 2019.
5. "IAAF Games of the XXXII Olympiad – Tokyo 2020 Entry Standards" (PDF). IAAF. Archived from the original (PDF) on 8 April 2019. Retrieved 8 April 2019.