Swaziland at the 2012 Summer Olympics

Last updated

Eswatini at the
2012 Summer Olympics
Flag of Swaziland.svg
IOC code SWZ
NOC Swaziland Olympic and Commonwealth Games Association
Website www.socga.org.sz
in London
Competitors3 in 2 sports
Flag bearers Luke Hall (opening)
Sibusiso Matsenjwa (closing)
Medals
Gold
0
Silver
0
Bronze
0
Total
0
Summer Olympics appearances (overview)

Eswatini (Swaziland) competed at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, which was held from 27 July to 12 August 2012. The country's participation at London marked its ninth appearance in the Summer Olympics since its debut at the 1972 Summer Olympics. The delegation included two track and field athletes: Sibusiso Matsenjwa and Phumlile Ndzinisa, and one swimmer, Luke Hall; the first two competitors qualified for the Games through wildcard places while Hall was awarded a universality place by FINA. Hall was selected as the flag bearer for the opening ceremony and Matensjwa held it for the closing ceremony. All three competitors did not advance further than the heat stages of their respective events.

Contents

Background

Swaziland participated in nine Summer Olympic Games between its début at the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich, Germany and the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, England, with the exception of the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal and the 1980 Summer Olympics in the Soviet Union, [1] the former because of a boycott relating to the New Zealand national rugby union team touring South Africa, and the latter because the country joined the United States-led boycott over the 1979 invasion of Afghanistan during the Soviet–Afghan War. [2] No Swazi athlete has ever won a medal at the Olympic Games and the country has yet to debut at the Winter Olympic Games. [1] Swaziland participated in the London Summer Olympics from 27 July to 12 August 2012. [3] The nation sent athletes Sibusiso Matsenjwa and Phumlile Ndzinisa and swimmer Luke Hall to the Games. [3] Hall was the flag bearer for the opening ceremony and Matensjwa held it for the closing ceremony. [4] [5] The athletes were coached by Muzi Mabuza and Linda Kiefer, [6] and trained in the West Devon town of Tavistock. [7]

Athletics

The 2012 Summer Games marked Sibusiso Matsenjwa's Olympic début. He was oldest competitor for Swaziland at the Games, aged 24. [3] He qualified for the Olympics via a wildcard, as his best time, 21.29 seconds set at the 2011 World Championships in Athletics, was 0.64 seconds slower than the "B" qualifying standard for his event, the men's 200 metres. [8] [9] In an interview with the Times of Swaziland before competing Matsenjwa said that he was learning from training with other Olympic athletes and was confident of improving his performance. [10] Matsenjwa competed in the men's 200 metres race in the third heat of the first round on 7 August, finishing sixth out of eight athletes with a time of 20.93 seconds, [11] setting a new Swaziland national record. [12] Overall he finished 40th out of 53 athletes, [lower-alpha 1] and was 0.21 seconds slower than the slowest qualifier for the semi-finals and, therefore, that was the end of his competition. [11]

The London Olympic Stadium, where Matsenjwa and Ndzinisa competed in track and field events Olympic Stadium (London) illuminated, 3 August 2012.jpg
The London Olympic Stadium, where Matsenjwa and Ndzinisa competed in track and field events

Competing at her first Olympics, Phumlile Ndzinisa was notable for carrying the Swaziland flag at the closing ceremony. [5] She was the youngest person to compete for Swaziland at the Games, aged 19. [3] She qualified for the Olympics via a wildcard, as her best time, 54.26 seconds set at the 2011 All-Africa Games, was 1.96 seconds slower than the "B" qualifying standard for the women's 400 metres. [8] [13] Ndzinisa took part in the first round of the women's 400 metres and was drawn in the fourth heat. She finished sixth with a time of 53.95 seconds, behind heat winner and eventual gold medallist Sanya Richards-Ross of the United States (51.78 seconds). [14] Ndzinisa finished 36th out of 45 athletes overall, [lower-alpha 2] and was 1.64 seconds behind the slowest qualifier who progressed to the semi-finals and that was the end of her competition. [14]

Key
Men
AthleteEventHeatSemifinalFinal
ResultRankResultRankResultRank
Sibusiso Matsenjwa 200 m 20.93 NR 6Did not advance [11] [12]
Women
AthleteEventHeatSemifinalFinal
ResultRankResultRankResultRank
Phumlile Ndzinisa 400 m 53.956Did not advance [14]

Swimming

The London Aquatics Centre where Hall competed in the men's 50 metre freestyle event London Aquatics Centre, 16 April 2012.jpg
The London Aquatics Centre where Hall competed in the men's 50 metre freestyle event

Luke Hall, who at the age of 23 was participating in his second Olympic Games, [15] was notable for holding the flag of Swaziland at the opening ceremony. [4] He qualified after receiving a universality place by FINA as his best time of 23.92 seconds did not reach the "A" or "B" standard entry times. [16] [17] Hall was drawn in heat four of the men's 50 metre freestyle event which was held on 2 August, finishing fourth out of eight swimmers with a time of 23:48 seconds. He finished 36th out of 58 swimmers overall and finished 1.21 seconds slower than the slowest swimmer to progress to the next round and he was eliminated from the competition. [18]

Men
AthleteEventHeatSemifinalFinal
TimeRankTimeRankTimeRank
Luke Hall 50 m freestyle 23.4836Did not advance [18]

Notes

  1. ↑ One athlete, Alonso Edward, was disqualified, and another Ben Youssef Meité did not start. [11]
  2. ↑ Three athletes were not classified, and one was disqualified. [14]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sri Lanka at the 2012 Summer Olympics</span> Sporting event delegation

Sri Lanka participated at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, which was held from 27 July to 12 August 2012. The country's participation at London marked its sixteenth appearance in the Summer Olympics since its debut at the 1948 Summer Olympics, having missed only the 1976 Games. The delegation consisted of seven competitors: two athletics competitors, two badminton players one shooter and two short-distance swimmers. Cooray, Samarakoon and Karunaratne qualified for the Games by meeting their respective qualifying standards; the remainder of the team entered through wildcard or quota places. Karunarante was the flag bearer for the opening and closing ceremonies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Malta at the 2012 Summer Olympics</span> Sporting event delegation

Malta competed at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, which was held from 27 July to 12 August 2012. The country's participation at London marked its fifteenth appearance in the Summer Olympics since its début at the 1928 Summer Olympics. The delegation included two track and field athletes, Rachid Chouhal and Diane Borg, one double trap shooter William Chetcuti and two swimmers Andrew Chetcuti and Nicola Muscat. All five competitors qualified for the Games through wildcard places. William Chetcuti was selected as the flag bearer for the opening ceremony while Borg held it at the closing ceremony. Choudai did not progress beyond the preliminary stages of the men's 100 metres, while Borg advanced to the first round of the women's 100 metres before being eliminated. William Chetcuti finished ninth in the double trap shooting event, while Andrew Chetcuti and Muscat were unable to progress to the first rounds of their respective swimming disciplines.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">San Marino at the 2012 Summer Olympics</span> Sporting event delegation

San Marino competed at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, which was held from 27 July to 12 August 2012. The country's participation at London marked its thirteenth appearance in the Summer Olympics since its début at the 1960 Summer Olympics. The delegation sent by the Sammarinese National Olympic Committee consisted of four athletes: sprinter Martina Pretelli, archer Emanuele Guidi, trap shooter Alessandra Perilli and short-distance swimmer Clelia Tini.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Uganda at the 2012 Summer Olympics</span> Sporting event delegation

Uganda competed at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, which was held from 27 July to 12 August 2012. The country's participation there marked its 13th appearance in the Summer Olympics since its début at the 1956 Summer Olympics. The delegation consisted of eleven track and field athletes that included Moses Ndiema Kipsiro, Benjamin Kiplagat, and Stephen Kiprotich, one each in badminton and weightlifting, and two swimmers. Ekiring, Ssekyaaya, Mugula, and Lunkuse had qualified through wildcard places, while the rest of the delegation satisfied the Games' qualification standards for their respective events. Mugula was selected as the team captain. Mugula was also selected as the flag bearer for both the opening and closing ceremonies. The country's best result at these Games was a gold medal for Kiproitch in the men's marathon, its first such medal since the 1972 Munich Olympics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chad at the 2012 Summer Olympics</span> Sporting event delegation

Chad competed at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, which was held from 27 July to 12 August 2012. This marked the nation's eleventh appearance at the Summer Olympics since its debut in the 1964 Summer Olympics. The Chadian delegation included track and field athlete Hinikissia Ndikert and judoka Carine Ngarlemdana. Ngarlemdana was the flag bearer for the opening ceremony and Ndikert was the flag bearer for the closing ceremony. Neither of Chad's athletes progressed beyond the first round of their events. Chad was one of only two countries to have a female-only team at the 2012 games.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Comoros at the 2012 Summer Olympics</span> Sporting event delegation

Comoros competed at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, England, which was held from 27 July to 12 August 2012. The country's participation at London marked its fifth appearance in the Summer Olympics since its début at the 1996 Summer Olympics. The delegation included two track and field athletes: Maoulida Darouèche and Feta Ahamada, and one swimmer, Ayouba Ali Sihame, all three qualified for the Games through wildcard places. Ahamada was selected as the flag bearer for the opening ceremony and Darouèche held it at the closing ceremony. Ahamada won her heat in the preliminary round of the women's 100 metres but was eliminated in the heat stages, while Darouèche and Sihame did not advance beyond the first round of their respective events.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Djibouti at the 2012 Summer Olympics</span> Sporting event delegation

Djibouti competed at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, from July 27 to August 12, 2012. This was the nation's seventh appearance at the Olympics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zambia at the 2012 Summer Olympics</span> Sporting event delegation

Zambia competed at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, held from 27 July to 12 August 2012. The country's participation at London marked its twelfth appearance in the Summer Olympics since its début at the 1964 Summer Olympics. The delegation consisted of seven competitors; three track and field athletes Gerald Phiri, Prince Mumba and Chauzje Choosha, one each in Boxing and Judo and two swimmers, Zane Jordan and Jade Ashleigh Howard. Phiri, Mumba, Choombe and Munyonga had qualified by meeting the standards in their respective sports, and Choosha, Jordan and Howard qualified by wildcard places. Mumba was the national flag bearer at the opening and closing ceremonies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dominica at the 2012 Summer Olympics</span> Sporting event delegation

Dominica participated in the 2012 Summer Olympics in London from 27 July to 12 August 2012. The country's participation in London marked its fifth appearance in the Summer Olympics since its debut in the 1996 Summer Olympics. The delegation included two athletes: Erison Hurtault and Luan Gabriel, the former qualified for the Games by meeting qualification standards while the latter entered the quadrennial event through a wildcard place. Hurtault was selected as the flag bearer for the opening ceremony while Gabriel carried the flag at the closing ceremony. Neither athlete progressed farther than the first round of their respective events.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nepal at the 2012 Summer Olympics</span> Sporting event delegation

Nepal competed at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, which was held from 27 July to 12 August 2012. The country's participation at London marked its twelfth appearance in the Summer Olympics since its début at the 1964 Summer Olympics. The delegation included two track and field athletes; Tilak Ram Tharu and Pramila Rijal, one shooter Sneh Rana and two swimmers; Prasiddha Jung Shah and Shreya Dhital; all five competitors qualified for the Games through wildcard places from their respective sporting governing bodies. It was the smallest delegation sent by Nepal since the 1992 Summer Olympics. Shah was selected as the flag bearer for the opening and closing ceremonies. Four of the five athletes were unable to progress beyond the first stages of their respective events while Rana finished 54th in the women's 10 metre air rifle shooting competition.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rwanda at the 2012 Summer Olympics</span> Sporting event delegation

Rwanda competed at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, which was held from 27 July to 12 August 2012. The country's participation at London marked its eighth appearance in the Summer Olympics since its début at the 1984 Summer Olympics. The delegation included seven competitors which included three track and field athletes; Robert Kajuga, Jean Pierre Mvuyekure and Claudette Mukasakindi. The other people that represented the country were cross-country cyclist Adrien Niyonshuti, judoka Fred Yannick Uwase, swimmers Jackson Niyomugabo and Alphonsine Agahozo. The track and field athletes qualified for the Games by meeting qualification standards while the remaining four made the Olympics through wildcard places. Niyonshuti was the flag bearer for both the opening and closing ceremonies. No athletes were able to achieve medals at the London Olympic Games.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brunei at the 2012 Summer Olympics</span> Sporting event delegation

Brunei, officially known as Brunei Darussalam, competed at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, which was held from 27 July to 12 August 2012. The country's participation in London marked its fifth appearance in the Summer Olympics since its debut in the 1988 Summer Olympics. They returned to the Olympics after missing the 2008 games when it was the only country expelled from participating.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tonga at the 2012 Summer Olympics</span> Sporting event delegation

Tonga participated in the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, United Kingdom, which were held from 27 July to 12 August 2012. The country's participation in London marked its eighth appearance in the Summer Olympics since its debut at the 1984 Summer Olympics. The delegation included three competitors: two in athletics, Joseph Andy Lui and ʻAna Poʻuhila, along with one short distance swimmer Amini Fonua. The latter entry was Tonga's first appearance in Olympic swimming competition. Lui and Fonua qualified through wildcard places while Po'uhila made the games by meeting qualification standards. Fonua was selected as the flag bearer for the opening ceremony while Lui held it at the closing ceremony. Lui and Fonua failed to progress farther than the preliminary round of their respective events while Po'uhila finished 29th in the heat stage of the women's shot put contest.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maldives at the 2012 Summer Olympics</span> Sporting event delegation

The Asian island nation of Maldives competed at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London from 27 July to 12 August 2012. This was the nation's seventh consecutive appearance at the Olympics. The delegation consisted of two athletes each in track and field and swimming. For the first time since their debut at the Summer Olympics, the Maldives entered one badminton player into the Olympics. Mohamed Ajfan Rasheed, the inaugural Maldivian badminton player to compete at the Olympics, was the nation's flag bearer at the opening ceremony with Azneem Ahmed carrying the Maldivian flag in the closing ceremony. All the athletes qualified for the games through wild cards from International Association of Athletic Federations FINA and Badminton World Federation. The Maldives, however, has yet to win its first ever Olympic medal.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Malawi at the 2012 Summer Olympics</span> Sporting event delegation

Malawi competed at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, which was held from 27 July to 12 August 2012. The country's participation at London marked its ninth appearance in the Summer Olympics since its début at the 1972 Summer Olympics. The delegation included two track and field athletes; Mike Tebulo and Ambwene Simukonda, and one swimmer; Joyce Tafatatha. Tebulo and Simukonda qualified through wildcard places for their respective events. Tebulo was selected as the flag bearer for the opening and closing ceremonies. Tebulo finished 44th in the men's marathon, while Simukonda did not advance beyond the first round of the women's 400 metres. Tafatatha won her heat in the women's 50 metre freestyle but her time was not fast enough to allow her to progress into the semi-finals of the event.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lesotho at the 2012 Summer Olympics</span> Sporting event delegation

Lesotho competed at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, which was held from 27 July to 12 August 2012. The country's participation at London marked its tenth appearance in the Summer Olympics since its début at the 1972 Summer Olympics. The delegation included three track and field athletes; Tsepo Ramonene, Mosito Lehata and Mamorallo Tjoka, and one swimmer; Masempe Theko. Ramonene and Lehata qualified for the Games by meeting qualification standards, while Tjoka and Theko made the Olympics through wildcard places. Tjoka was selected as the flag bearer for the opening ceremony while Lehata held it at the closing ceremony. Ramonene finished last in the men's marathon and was revived by medical personnel during the event. Lehata did not progress to the semi-finals of the men's 200 metres and Tjoka finished in 90th in the women's marathon. Theko finished 73rd overall in the women's 50 metre freestyle and did not progress to the semi-finals of the event.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Saint Vincent and the Grenadines at the 2012 Summer Olympics</span> Sporting event delegation

During the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, United Kingdom, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines appeared in their seventh consecutive Summer Olympics. The country sent three competitors to their team with wild card entries. Athlete Kineke Alexander reprised her role as the nation's flag bearer for the second time at the opening ceremony. As Alexander entered her second Olympics, athlete Courtney Carl Williams and swimmer Tolga Akcayli debuted at the 2012 Olympics. For Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, none of the country's competitors advanced past their individual heats. In overall standings, Akcayli had the highest 2012 Olympic finish for Saint Vincent and the Grenadines when he placed 45th in the men's 50 metre freestyle.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Swaziland at the 2016 Summer Olympics</span> Sporting event delegation

Swaziland competed at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from 5 to 21 August 2016. The country's participation in Rio de Janeiro marked its tenth appearance at the Summer Olympics since its debut in 1972. The delegation included two track and field athletes: Sibusiso Matsenjwa in the men's 200 metres and Phumlile Ndzinisa in the women's 100 metres. Both athletes participated at the Games through wildcard places since they did not meet the required standards to qualify. Neither athletes progressed past their heats, although Matsenjwa set a new national record.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Liechtenstein at the 2016 Summer Olympics</span> Sporting event delegation

Liechtenstein competed at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from 5 to 21 August 2016. Since the nation's official debut in 1936, Liechtensteinian athletes have appeared in every edition of the Summer Olympic Games, except for two occasions. Liechtenstein did not register any athletes at the 1956 Summer Olympics in Melbourne, and eventually joined the United States-led boycott when Moscow hosted the 1980 Summer Olympics. The 2016 delegation included two swimmers, Christoph Meier and Julia Hassler, and tennis player Stephanie Vogt. Two of the athletes debuted in the 2012 Summer Olympics, with long-distance freestyle swimmer Julia Hassler leading the squad as the nation's flag bearer in the opening ceremony. Liechtenstein has yet to win a Summer Olympic medal.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Gambia at the 2016 Summer Olympics</span> Sporting event delegation

The Gambia, officially the Republic of the Gambia, competed at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, which was held from 5 to 21 August 2016. The country's participation at Rio marked its ninth appearance at the Summer Olympic Games since its début at the 1984 Summer Olympics. The delegation included two track and field athletes, Adama Jammeh and Gina Bass, who both qualified after meeting the qualification standards for their respective events, one judoka, Faye Njie, who made the Games through a quota place and one swimmer, Pap Jonga, who earned a universality place to enter the Games. The Gambia made their début appearances in the judo and swimming events. Bass was selected as the flag bearer for the opening and closing ceremonies. All four athletes were eliminated from the first rounds of their events.

References

  1. 1 2 "Swaziland". Sports Reference. Archived from the original on 24 June 2016. Retrieved 16 October 2016.
  2. ↑ Mallon, Bill; Heijmans, Jeroen (2011). Historical Dictionary of the Olympic Movement. Lanham, Maryland: Scarecrow Press. pp. 69–70 & 77–78. ISBN   978-0-8108-7522-7.
  3. 1 2 3 4 "Swaziland at the 2012 London Summer Games". Sports Reference. Archived from the original on 17 December 2012. Retrieved 16 October 2016.
  4. 1 2 "Olympic flag bearers" . United Press International. 27 July 2012. Retrieved 22 October 2016– via General OneFile.
  5. 1 2 "London 2012 Closing Ceremony – Flag Bearers" (PDF). Olympic.org. Archived from the original (PDF) on 28 March 2016. Retrieved 7 March 2015.
  6. ↑ Qondile, Shongwe (29 May 2016). "London 2012 Olympic Games Countdown... 59 Days to Go". The Swazi Observer . Archived from the original on 10 May 2013. Retrieved 16 October 2016.
  7. ↑ "All set to welcome Swaziland athletes". Okehampton Times. 4 July 2012. Archived from the original on 18 October 2016. Retrieved 16 October 2016.
  8. 1 2 "London 2012 Olympics: Athletics qualification". The Daily Telegraph . 15 April 2011. Archived from the original on 2 October 2011. Retrieved 5 March 2015.
  9. ↑ "Sibusiso Matsenjwa – Athlete profile – Progression". IAAF. Archived from the original on 22 October 2016. Retrieved 21 October 2016.
  10. ↑ Magongo, Ntokozo (1 August 2012). "Local athletes mingle train with the best". Times of Swaziland . Archived from the original on 19 October 2016. Retrieved 17 October 2016.
  11. 1 2 3 4 "2012 Summer Olympics – Results – Men's 200 meters". ESPN . Archived from the original on 19 October 2016. Retrieved 16 October 2016.
  12. 1 2 McFarland, Matt (7 August 2012). "Day 11: Usain Bolt, gymnastics, women's basketball, beach volleyball". The Washington Post . Retrieved 17 October 2016.
  13. ↑ "Phumlile Ndzinisa – Athlete profile – Progression". IAAF. Archived from the original on 22 October 2016. Retrieved 21 October 2016.
  14. 1 2 3 4 "Track and Field / Womenʼs 400m". The New York Times . Archived from the original on 12 April 2016. Retrieved 16 October 2016.
  15. ↑ "Luke Hall". Sports Reference. Archived from the original on 19 October 2016. Retrieved 17 October 2016.
  16. ↑ "FINA Universality Places" (PDF). FINA. 6 July 2012. Archived from the original (PDF) on 11 July 2012. Retrieved 6 July 2012.
  17. ↑ Keith, Branden (25 November 2010). "FINA Announces Qualifying Standards for London 2012". Swim Swam. Archived from the original on 20 October 2016. Retrieved 17 October 2016.
  18. 1 2 "2012 Summer Olympics Results – Swimming – Results for Men's 50m Freestyle". ESPN. Archived from the original on 18 October 2016. Retrieved 16 October 2016.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.