Marshall Islands at the 2008 Summer Olympics

Marshall Islands at the Olympic Games

Flag of the Marshall Islands
IOC code  MHL
NOC Marshall Islands National Olympic Committee
Websitewww.oceaniasport.com/marshalls
At the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing
Competitors 5 in 3 sports
Flag bearer Waylon Muller
Medals Gold
0
Silver
0
Bronze
0
Total
0
Olympic history (summary)
Summer Games

The Marshall Islands gained International Olympic Committee recognition in 2007, and sent a team to compete in the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China, for their first ever appearance.

Athletes representing the Marshall Islands participated in four different events. Anju Jason was the first Marshallese athlete ever to qualify for the Olympic Games. He represented his country in taekwondo.[1] Jared Heine is a swimmer and competed in the 100 meter backstroke. In athletics, the nation was represented by Roman Cress who ran in the men's 100 metres.[2] Haley Nemra also represented the Marshall Islands running in the women's 800 metres. Nemra, whose father is a native Marshallese, is a University of San Francisco student who has definitely been to the Marshall Islands and is returning after graduation of 2012.[3]

History

Marshall Islands is a Micronesian island nation, located in the western Pacific Ocean midway between Hawaii and Australia. The island has a population of approximately 60,000. The island nation was controlled by the United States, and prior to that by Japan and Germany at different times in its history, until gaining its sovereignty. In 1979, the Government of the Marshall Islands was officially established and the country became self-governing. In 1986 the Compact of Free Association with the United States entered into force, granting the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) its sovereignty. The island nation is made up of twenty-nine atolls and five single islands.[4][5]

The Marshall Islands created its National Olympic Committee in 2001, and gained International Olympic Committee recognition in 2007 during the IOC's on February 12, 2007.[4] The admittance of Marshall Islands, along with Montenegro (who participated as Serbia and Montenegro at the 2004 Summer Olympics) and Tuvalu brings the total number of nations competing in the 2008 Olympics to 205.[6]

Athletics (track and field)

Marshall Islands National Olympic Committee (NOC)official logo.
Key
  • NoteRanks 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
Men
Athlete Event Heat Quarterfinal Semifinal Final
Result Rank Result Rank Result Rank Result Rank
Roman William Cress 100 m 11.18 8 Did not advance
Women
Athlete Event Heat Quarterfinal Semifinal Final
Result Rank Result Rank Result Rank Result Rank
Haley Nemra 800 m 2:18.83 7 Did not advance

Swimming

Men
Athlete Event Heat Semifinal Final
Time Rank Time Rank Time Rank
Jared Heine 100 m backstroke 58.86 42 Did not advance
Women
Athlete Event Heat Semifinal Final
Time Rank Time Rank Time Rank
Julianne Kirchner 50 m freestyle 30.42 75 Did not advance

Taekwondo

Athlete Event Round of 16 Quarterfinals Semifinals Repechage Bronze Medal Final
Opposition
Result
Opposition
Result
Opposition
Result
Opposition
Result
Opposition
Result
Opposition
Result
Rank
Anju Jason Men's −80 kg  Cook (GBR)
L 0–7
Did not advance

References

  1. "Panda Express' Anju Jason Qualifies for Beijing Olympics". Panda Express. July 17, 2008. Retrieved 2008-08-01.
  2. Weiner, Jay (May 8, 2008). "Runner's Olympic dream coming true -- 8 years late". MinnPost. Retrieved 2008-08-01.
  3. Raley Dan (July 31, 2008). "Marshall Islands sends Washington student to Olympics". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Retrieved 2008-08-01.
  4. 1 2 "2008 Summer Olympics Country Profile". NBCOlympics.com. Retrieved 2008-07-31.
  5. "Marshall Islands Ready to Join Olympics". SFGate. Retrieved 2008-08-01.
  6. "Two new National Olympic Committees on board!". International Olympic Committee. 2007-07-06. Retrieved 2007-07-08. the number of National Olympic Committees across the globe now totals 205
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