Somalia at the 2008 Summer Olympics

Somalia sent athletes to the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China. This was Somalia's seventh time in the Summer Olympics, starting from the 1972 Games.

Two athletes from Somalia competed in running events: sprinter Samiya Yuusf Omar and long-distance runner Abdinasir Said Ibrahim. Neither athlete advanced past the first round of their events.

Omar trained in Mogadishu during a hard time in her country because of the Somali Civil War. Her story became well-known and was later shared in a graphic novel.

Background

Somalia joined the Summer Olympics for the first time in Munich in West Germany in 1972. They sent athletes to seven Summer Olympics, ending with the 2008 Games in Beijing, China. The most athletes from Somalia competed at the 1984 Games in Los Angeles, with seven athletes. No athlete from Somalia has ever won an Olympic medal.

In 2008, two athletes represented Somalia: Abdinasir Said Ibrahim ran in the Men's 5000 metres, and Samiya Yuusf Omar ran in the Women's 200 metres. Duran Farah, a Somali official, carried the country’s flag during the Parade of Nations.

Athletics

Main article: Athletics at the 2008 Summer Olympics

Somalia had two athletes at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China. Abdinasir Said Ibrahim, an 18-year-old runner, competed in the 5000 metres. He finished 12th in his race. Samiya Yuusf Omar, a 16-year-old woman, was the only female athlete from Somalia. She ran the 200 metres and finished last in her race. She had some difficulties but kept training with help from her mother.