TheTuvalu Association of Sports and National Olympic Committee was recognised as a National Olympic Committee in July 2007.[1] Tuvalu entered the Olympics for the first time at the2008 Summer Olympics inBeijing, China, with a weightlifter and two athletes in the men's and women's 100-metre sprints.[2] Tuvaluan athletes have yet to progress past the first round of their events.
The Tuvalu Association of Sports and National Olympic Committee (TASNOC) was founded in 2004 under the name 'Tuvalu Association of Sports'. It was renamed to TASNOC and recognized by the IOC as a National Olympic Committee (NOC) on 16 July 2007.[3][4] Robert Laupula managed the Tuvalu Sports Association and the application for membership of the Olympic movement, which was co-ordinated by theOceania National Olympic Committees.[5] The TASNOC organizes Tuvalu's participation in the Commonwealth Games as well as the Olympics. The committee has had three different secretaries general: Isala T. Isala is the current secretary general, andEselealofa Apinelu is the president.[6]
Tuvalu sent three athletes to the 2008 Summer Olympics: two in athletics and one in weightlifting. BothOkilani Tinilau andAsenate Manoa set national records in the 100 metres, with times of 11.48 and 14.05 respectively.[7][8] They were both eliminated in the first heat.[9]Logona Esau finished 21st in themen's −69 kg competition.[10]
Three Tuvaluan competitors represented the country at the 2012 Olympics. WeightlifterTuau Lapua Lapua finished the highest of the Tuvaluan competitors with an 11th place finish in theMen's −62 kg event, finishing with a score of 243.[11] Tavevele Noa andAsenate Manoa were both eliminated in the first heats of the 100 metres, and Manoa set a national record in the women's 100 metres.[12]
One athlete competed for Tuvalu in the 2016 Summer Olympics, the only country to send one delegate.[13]Etimoni Timuani competed in the 100 metres, finishing seventh in his heat. He did not advance to the next round.[14]
Etimoni Timuani during the Parade of Nations in the 2016 Rio Summer Olympics.
Flag bearers carry the national flag of their country at theopening ceremony and closing ceremony of theOlympic Games. The first flag bearer for Tuvalu wasLogona Esau, a weightlifter, in 2008.
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