IOC code SOL | Competitors 3 in 2 sports | |
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Website www.oceaniasport.com/solomon Medals GoldSilverBronzeTotal0000 | ||
The Solomon Islands competed at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from 5 to 21 August 2016. This was the nation's ninth consecutive appearance at the Summer Olympics. The delegation included two track and field athletes: Rosefelo Siosi and Sharon Firisua, as well as weightlifter Jenly Tegu Wini. Wini was a returning competitor from the 2012 London Olympics and also led the delegation in those Games. The Solomon Islands, however, has yet to win it's first ever Olympic medal.
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Background
The Solomon Islands are a group consisting of approximately a thousand islands that serves as home to almost 600,000 people. The island chain was designated a protectorate of the United Kingdom in the 1890s, and remained under British control during World War II, where the island chain was the center of some of the war's worst fighting. In 1976, the Solomon Islands won the right to self-government from the British, and declared independence in 1978. The nation fell into a period of civil instability between then and 2003, when Australia led a military force to restore law and order in the country.
The Solomon Islands participated in nine Summer Olympics between it's debut in the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, California, and the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The highest number of Solomon Islanders participating any single Summer Games was four at the 1988, 1996, and 2012 Summer Olympics. No Solom Islander has ever won a medal at any Games. The Solomon Islands have never competed in the Winter Olympics. All Solomon Islanders participated through wildcard slots from the International Association of Athletics Federations and International Weightlifting Federation.[3] Jenly Tegu Wini was chosen to be the nation's flagbearer during the parade of nations of the opening ceremony while Rosefelo Siosi bore it during the closing ceremony.
Athletics
The Solomon Islands have received universality slots from IAAF to send two athletes (one male and one female) to the Olympics.
Weightlifting
The Solomon Islands have received an unused quota place from IWF to send a female weightlifter to the Olympics.