| Aruba at the 1996 Summer Olympics | |
|---|---|
 | |
| IOC code | ARU |
| NOC | Aruban Olympic Committee |
| Website | www |
| inAtlanta | |
| Competitors | 3 (3 men and 0 women) in 3 sports |
| Flag bearer | Isnardo Faro |
| Medals |
|
| Summer Olympics appearances (overview) | |
| Other related appearances | |
 Netherlands Antilles (1952–2008) | |
Aruba sent a delegation to compete at the1996 Summer Olympics inAtlanta, United States from 19 July to 4 August 1996. This was Aruba's third appearance at aSummer Olympic Games since separating from theNetherlands Antilles. The Aruban delegation consisted of three competitors,track and field athleteMiguel Janssen,weightlifterJunior Faro, andcyclistLucien Dirksz. Janseen was eliminated in the first round of themen's 200 metres, Faro finished 21st in themen's middleweight, and Dirksz failed to finishhis event.
TheAruban Olympic Committee was recognised by theInternational Olympic Committee on 1 January 1986.[1] Aruba made its Olympic debut as a distinct territory soon after, at the1988 Seoul Olympics, and they have participated in everySummer Olympic Games since.[2] The 1996 Summer Olympics were held inAtlanta, United States, from 19 July to 4 August 1996; 10,318 athletes took part representing 194National Olympic Committees.[3] Atlanta was Aruba's third time participating in the Summer Olympics.[2] The Aruban delegation to these Olympics consisted of three competitors,track and field athleteMiguel Janssen,weightlifterJunior Faro, andcyclistLucien Dirksz.[4] Faro was chosen as the flag-bearer for theopening ceremony.[2]
The following is the list of number of competitors in the Games.[5]
| Sport | Men | Women | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Athletics | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Cycling | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Weightlifting | 1 | – | 1 |
| Total | 3 | 0 | 3 |
Miguel Janssen was 25 years old at the time of the Atlanta Olympics, and was making his only Olympic appearance.[6][7] On 31 July, he took part in the first round of themen's 200 metres, and was drawn into heat ten. He finished the race in 21.72 seconds, seventh and last in his heat, and he was eliminated from the competition.[8] The gold medal was eventually won byMichael Johnson of theUnited States in 19.32 seconds, the silver medal was earned byFrankie Fredericks ofNamibia, and the bronze was won byAto Boldon ofTrinidad and Tobago.[9][10]
| Athlete | Event | Heat | Quarterfinal | Semifinal | Final | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Result | Rank | Result | Rank | Result | Rank | Result | Rank | ||
| Miguel Janssen | Men's 200 m | 21.72 | 7 | did not advance | |||||
Lucien Dirksz was 27 years old at the time of these Olympics, and had previously representedAruba at the1992 Barcelona Olympics.[11][12] On 31 July, he took part in the 221.85 kilometres (137.85 mi)men's road race, but failed to finish the competition.[13] The gold medal was won byPascal Richard ofSwitzerland in 4 hours 53 minutes and 56 seconds; the silver was earned byRolf Sørensen ofDenmark, and the bronze was taken byMax Sciandri ofGreat Britain.[14]
| Athlete | Event | Time | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lucien Dirksz | Men's road race | DNF | |
Isnarda "Junior" Faro was 18 years old at the time of the Atlanta Olympics, and would, 8 years later, representAruba again at the2004 Athens Olympics.[15][16] InOlympic weightlifting a competitor is given three tries to lift a weight of their choice in thesnatch, with the best of their three attempts counting. If an athlete posts a mark in the snatch, they then get three attempts at theclean and jerk, again, with the best of the three marks counting. A final score is determined by adding the best mark posted in the snatch and the clean and jerk together.[17] On 24 July, Faro took part in themen's under 76 kg competition, meaning competitors had to weigh in at or below 76 kg. In the snatch, he lifted 102.5 kg, 107.5 kg, and 112.5 kg; recording a mark for this phase of the competition of 112.5 kg.[18] Later, in the clean and jerk, he lifted 132.5 kg in his first attempt, 137.5 kg in his second, and failed at 142.5 kg in his third and final try; recording a mark for the clean and jerk of 137.5 kg.[19] His combined lift of 250.0 kg put him 21st and last among those who posted marks for both phases of the competition.[17] The gold medal was won byPablo Lara ofCuba with a combined lift of 367.5 kg, the silver medal was taken byYoto Yotov ofBulgaria, and the bronze medal was earned byJon Chol-ho ofNorth Korea.[17][20]
| Athlete | Event | Snatch | Clean & Jerk | Total | Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Result | Rank | Result | Rank | ||||
| Junior Faro | Men's −76 kg | 112.5 | 22 | 137.5 | 21 | 250.0 | 21 |
