Libya first participated at the Olympic Games in 1964, and has sent athletes to compete in most Summer Olympic Games since then. The nation boycotted the 1976 Games along with most other African nations, and also boycotted the 1984 Games. Libya has never participated in the Winter Olympic Games.
Libya competed at the 2010 Summer Youth Olympics, the inaugural Youth Olympic Games, held in Singapore from 14 August to 26 August 2010.
Libya competed at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, United Kingdom from 27 July to 12 August 2012. This was the nation's tenth appearance at the Olympics since its debut at the 1964 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, including seven appearances under the name Libyan Arab Jamahiriya.
During the Parade of Nations portion of the 2004 Summer Olympics opening ceremony, athletes from each country participating in the Olympics paraded in the arena, preceded by their flag. The flag was borne by a sportsperson from that country chosen either by the National Olympic Committee or by the athletes themselves to represent their country.
At the 2012 Summer Olympics Parade of Nations of the 2012 London Olympics, athletes and officials from each participating country paraded into the Olympic Stadium preceded by their national flag to the sound of iconic British modern music. Each flag bearer was chosen by each nation's National Olympic Committee or by the delegation of athletes.
Sofyan El Gadi is Libyan swimmer. He competed in the 100 m butterfly event at the 2012 Summer Olympics. He was the flag bearer of Libya at the opening ceremony.
