Tuvalu at The 2008 Summer Olympics - Athletics

Athletics

Asenate "Nancy" Manoa competed for Tuvalu as its first female Olympian, competing in the Beijing Olympics as part of the women's 100 meters races. Born in Fiji, Manoa was 16 years old when she first competed in Beijing; she had not previously competed at any Olympic games. Manoa previously trained on Funafuti International Airport's runway until continuing her training in Fiji; her competition in Beijing marked both her Olympic début and the first time she ever used starting blocks or competed on a synthetic track. During the August 15 qualification round, Manoa competed in the second heat against seven other athletes. She finished the event in 14.05 seconds, placing last in the heat; Manoa was directly behind Pakistan's Sadaf Siddiqui (12.41 seconds) and Iraq's Dana Abdulrazak (12.36 seconds) in a heat led by France's Christine Arron (11.37 seconds) and the American runner Lauryn Williams (11.38 seconds). Of the 85 competitors, Asenate Manoa ranked in 85th place. She did not advance to later rounds.

Okilani Tinilau was the only male athlete from Tuvalu who competed in a track and field event, representing the country in the men's 100 meters races at the Beijing Olympics. He was born in January 1989, and was 19 years old at the time of the 2008 Summer Olympics. Tinilau had not previously competed at any Olympic games. During the course of the races, which took place during August 14, Tinilau competed in the tenth heat against seven other athletes. He finished the race in 11.48 seconds, placing last in the event. he was directly behind Chad's Moumi Sébergué (11.14 seconds), who placed seventh; and Gabon's Wilfried Binganoye (10.87 seconds), who placed sixth. The heat itself was led by Dutch Antilean athlete Churandy Martina (10.35 seconds) and Japanese runner Naoki Tsukahara (10.39 seconds). Of the 80 competitors in the event, Tinilau ranked 77th and did not advance to later rounds.

Men

Women