Tuvalu at the Olympics facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Tuvalu at the Olympics
IOC code	TUV
NOC	Tuvalu Association of Sports and National Olympic Committee
Medals	Gold Silver Bronze Total 0 0 0 0
Summer appearances
2008 2012 2016 2020

Tuvalu, a small island nation, takes part in the Olympic Games. They only compete in the Summer Olympics and have not yet joined the Winter Olympics.

The Tuvalu Association of Sports and National Olympic Committee helps Tuvaluan athletes get ready for the Olympics. This committee was officially recognized in July 2007. Tuvalu first sent athletes to the Olympics at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China. Their first team included a weightlifter and two runners. So far, no Tuvaluan athlete has made it past the first round of their events.

Tuvalu's Olympic Committee

The Tuvalu Association of Sports and National Olympic Committee (TASNOC) was started in 2004. It was first called the 'Tuvalu Association of Sports'. In 2007, it changed its name to TASNOC and was officially recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). This recognition was a big step for Tuvalu to join the Olympic movement.

TASNOC helps organize Tuvalu's teams for both the Commonwealth Games and the Olympics. The committee has had several leaders over the years. Currently, Isala T. Isala is the secretary general, and Eselealofa Apinelu is the president.

Tuvalu's Journey at the Olympics

The official logo of Tuvalu's National Olympic Committee.

Tuvalu has sent athletes to the Summer Olympics since 2008. Here's a look at their journey:

2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing

Tuvalu's first Olympic team in 2008 had three athletes. Two competed in running events, and one in weightlifting. Okilani Tinilau and Asenate Manoa both set new national records in the 100-meter sprint. Okilani ran it in 11.48 seconds, and Asenate in 14.05 seconds. Even with these records, they were both out of the competition after the first race. Logona Esau, the weightlifter, finished 21st in his event.

2012 Summer Olympics in London

Three athletes represented Tuvalu at the 2012 London Olympics. Weightlifter Tuau Lapua Lapua had the best finish for Tuvalu, coming in 11th place in his event. He lifted a total of 243 kilograms. Tavevele Noa and Asenate Manoa both ran in the 100-meter races. They were eliminated in their first races, but Asenate Manoa set another national record for the women's 100 meters.

2016 Summer Olympics in Rio

In 2016, Tuvalu sent only one athlete to the Olympics, which was unique! Etimoni Timuani competed in the 100-meter sprint. He finished seventh in his race and did not move on to the next round.

2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo

For the 2020 Olympics (held in 2021 due to the pandemic), Tuvalu had two athletes. Karalo Maibuca competed in the men’s 100-meter race, and Matie Stanley ran in the women’s 100-meter race.

2024 Summer Olympics in Paris

At the 2024 Paris Olympics, Tuvalu was again represented by two athletes in track and field. Karalo Maibuca competed in the men's 100 meters, and Temalini Manatoa ran in the women's 100 meters.

Olympic Medals for Tuvalu

Tuvalu has not yet won any Olympic medals. Here's a summary of their participation:

Medals by Summer Games

Games	Athletes	Gold	Silver	Bronze	Total	Rank
2008 Beijing	3	0	0	0	0	–
2012 London	3	0	0	0	0	–
2016 Rio de Janeiro	1	0	0	0	0	–
2020 Tokyo	2	0	0	0	0	–
2024 Paris	2	0	0	0	0	–
2028 Los Angeles	future event
Total		0	0	0	0	–

Who Carries the Flag?

Etimoni Timuani proudly carrying the flag for Tuvalu at the 2016 Rio Summer Olympics opening ceremony.

At the opening ceremony of the Olympics, one athlete from each country gets to carry their national flag. This person is called the flag bearer. For Tuvalu, the first flag bearer was Logona Esau, a weightlifter, in 2008.

Summer Olympics

Games	Athlete	Sport	Notes
2008 Beijing	Logona Esau	Weightlifting
2012 London	Tuau Lapua Lapua (opening) Asenate Manoa (closing)	Weightlifting Athletics
2016 Rio de Janeiro	Etimoni Timuani	Athletics
2020 Tokyo	Karalo Maibuca and Matie Stanley	Athletics
2024 Paris	Karalo Maibuca and Temalini Manatoa	Athletics

See also

In Spanish: Tuvalu en los Juegos Olímpicos para niños

• List of Tuvaluan records in athletics