Kiribati at the Olympics facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Kiribati at theOlympics |
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| IOC code | KIR | ||||||||
| NOC | Kiribati National Olympic Committee | ||||||||
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The small island nation of Kiribati first took part in the Summer Olympics in 2004. Since then, they have sent athletes to every Summer Games. However, Kiribati has not yet competed in the Winter Olympics.
Contents
Kiribati's Olympic Journey
Joining the Olympic Family
After competing in the Commonwealth Games for the first time in 1998, Kiribati began working to join the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The IOC is the group that organizes the Olympic Games.
In 2002, Kiribati created its own National Olympic Committee. This committee was officially approved by the IOC in 2003. This meant Kiribati could send its own athletes to the Olympics.
The country was ready to participate in the 2004 Summer Games in Athens, Greece. During the opening ceremony, officials mispronounced Kiribati's name in all three languages: French, English, and Greek.
Kiribati's first Olympic team had three athletes. They were weightlifter Meamea Thomas and sprinters Kakianako Nariki and Kaitinano Mwemweata. Kakianako Nariki was the very first Olympic competitor from Kiribati.
Training in Kiribati
Athletes in Kiribati face some unique challenges when they train. Many of them run barefoot. The country has about 80 to 90 athletes who share only ten pairs of running shoes.
Their running track is made of crushed coral. The lanes are marked with black coral and white beach sand. When it rains a lot, the track often floods. Even then, the athletes keep training!
Weightlifters also have to be creative. They don't have a special gym. Instead, they train behind their coach's house. If it starts raining, they have to stop their practice.
Olympic Results
Kiribati has competed in the Summer Olympics since 2004. So far, athletes from Kiribati have not won any Olympic medals.
| Total | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | |
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Flag Bearers
At the opening ceremony of each Olympic Games, one athlete from each country carries their national flag. This person is called the flag bearer. Here are the athletes who have carried the flag for Kiribati:
2004 Athens: Meamea Thomas
2008 Beijing: David Katoatau
2012 London: David Katoatau
2016 Rio de Janeiro: David Katoatau
2020 Tokyo: Kinaua Biribo, Ruben Katoatau
2024 Paris: Kaimauri Erati, Nera Tiebwa
See also
In Spanish: Kiribati en los Juegos Olímpicos para niños
