Djibouti at the Olympics

Djibouti at the
Olympics
IOC code DJI
NOC Comité National Olympique Djiboutien
Medals
Gold Silver Bronze Total
0 0 1 1
Olympics appearances (overview)
8
Summer appearances

Djibouti has participated in eight Summer Olympic Games as of the completion of the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. They have never competed in the Winter Olympic Games. Djibouti debuted at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, United States of America with three athletes, but did not take home a medal.[1][2] The highest number of Djiboutian athletes participating in a summer Games is eight[1] in the 1992 games in Barcelona, Spain.[3] Only one Djiboutian athlete has ever won a medal at the Olympics, marathon runner Hussein Ahmed Salah, who won a bronze medal in the 1988 marathon.[4]

Djibouti NOC logo.

Training

Djibouti has a training facility in Ali Sabieh for the male athletics National Team and also has a training facility in Djibouti City. The Djibouti City training facility features a six lane track and hurdles made from PVC pipes. The Ali Sabieh facility has standard hurdles, a high quality track, weights made from cement filled milk cans, and a rarely filled steeplechase water pit.[5]

National Olympic committee

Djibouti's National Olympic Committee (NOC) was founded in 1983, and was officially recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) a year later.[6]:157 The NOC is chaired by Ms. Aicha Garad Ali, who is the coach of the national women's handball team and also a physical education and sports teacher. Ali was first elected May 1, 2005 and re-elected May 1, 2013. The secretary general is Ali Said Houssein, who was the former national football coach and a former teacher.[7][8]

A vote on January 4, 2017 came out in favor of Aicha Garad for her third term. The next day, 12 of the 22 sports federations filed an appeal to the IOC. The complaint lodged was that an insufficient number of representatives were present at the vote (seven out of 22). They stated in the letter that "...having found numerous irregularities and formal defects in the ballot organized by the outgoing President Mrs. Aicha Garad in the absence of the majority of Federation Presidents, only 7 of 22 were present." Ahmed Salah also filed a complaint for the vote, including that the vote took place without international observers present.[9]

Olympic overview

Pre-Olympics

Djibouti was a territory until it voted to declare independence from France in 1977, which made 1980 the first Summer Olympics the country would have been eligible for.[10] Djibouti was one of 65 countries that boycotted the 1980 Moscow Olympics in protest of the Soviet war in Afghanistan.[11]

1984 Summer Olympics

Djibouti debuted at the 1984 Olympic games with three athletes, all competing in the marathon. Djama Robleh finished with the best time, and his eighth place finish was better than two of the three marathoners who were considered the best at the time.[12]

1988 Summer Olympics

This was the first year that Djibouti competed in any events in addition to the marathon. Djiboutan Olympians competing in athletics still only ran in long distance events. Ahmed Salah, the only Djiboutian athlete to return from the 1984 Olympic Games, was awarded with Djibouti's one and only medal, a bronze in the marathon, finishing with a time of 2:10:59.[13] In addition to Djibouti's participation in athletics, they made their debut in sailing. Robleh Ali Adou became the first Djiboutan sailor to participate in the Olympics, placing 40th out of 45 participants in the mixed windsurfer category.[14]

1992 Summer Olympics

As of 2017, the most Olympians Djibouti sent to an Olympics was at the 1992 Olympic Games. These Games also marked the first time Djibouti competed in judo. Both judokas, Youssef Omar Isahak and Alaoui Mohamed Taher failed to win a match.[15] In addition to judo, Djibouti continued its participation in athletics and sailing. Robleh Ali Adou placed 39th in the Lechner A-390.[16] In the athletics events, Djiboutans competed in the 1500 m, 5000 m, 10000 m, and the marathon. The highest place finish in a final was Ahmed Salah, placing 30th in the marathon.[17] Houssein Djama, Moussa Souleiman, and Omar Daher Gadid were all eliminated in the first heat, while Talal Omar Abdillahi did not finish the marathon.[18][19][20][21] Robleh Ali Adou competed in the Lechner A-390 sailing event, finishing in 39th place.[22]

1996 Summer Olympics

In the 1996 Olympic Games, Djibouti competed in both athletics and sailing. Salah competed in his fourth straight Olympics, finishing highest among Djibouti's marathon competitors with 42nd place.[23] Additionally, two sailors competed in mistral and laser races.[24][25]

2000 Summer Olympics

The number of competing athletes for Djibouti was at an all time low for the 2000 Olympic Games. The first woman athlete for Djibouti debuted at these games, competing in the 800 m.[26] She set the record for Djibouti's youngest Olympian at an age of 16 years and 62 days. Wais finished last in her heat, 24.15 seconds behind the next competitor.[27] The only other competitor was Omar Daher Gadid, who competed in the marathon and did not finish the race.[28]

2004 Summer Olympics

Djibouti's NOC entered two athletes into tennis and two into athletics. For reasons currently unknown, none of the competitors participated at the Games.[6]:xciv

2008 Summer Olympics

After an absence in the 2004 Olympics, Djibouti once again sent a small number of athletes in the 2008 Summer Olympics, sending one male and one female athlete to compete at the Games. Neither athlete qualified for the finals. Fathia Ali Bouraleh finished 8th in her heat during the 100 m, and Mahamoud Farah finished 9th in his heat for the 1500 m.[29][30]

2012 Summer Olympics

Mumin Gala competing in the 2012 Olympics.

In the 2012 Olympic Games, Djibouti returned in two sports, athletics, judo, and also debuted in swimming and table tennis. Abdourahman Osman and Yasmin Farah did not advance past the first round of their competitions.[31][32] Sally Raguib, competing in Judo, lost her first match and was eliminated from competition.[33] Zourah Ali became the first woman flagbearer for Djibouti in these Games. Mumin Gala, competing in the 5000 m, qualified for the final and placed 13th.[34]

2016 Summer Olympics

Djibouti had six competitors in athetlics, and one each in judo and swimming. Djibouti was very close to medaling at the 2016 Olympic Games, with Ayanleh Souleiman finishing in fourth for the 1500 m.[35][36] He also competed in the 800 m, but failed to advance past the semifinals.[35] Anass Houssein lost his first match and was eliminated from competition.[37] Bourhan Abro finished 74th and did not advance past the first round.[38]

Medal tables

Medals by Summer Games

Games Athletes Gold Silver Bronze Total Rank
United States 1984 Los Angeles 3 0 0 0 0 –
South Korea 1988 Seoul 6 0 0 1 1 46
Spain 1992 Barcelona 8 0 0 0 0 –
United States 1996 Atlanta 5 0 0 0 0 –
Australia 2000 Sydney 2 0 0 0 0 –
Greece 2004 Athens did not participate
China 2008 Beijing 2 0 0 0 0 –
United Kingdom 2012 London 5 0 0 0 0 –
Brazil 2016 Rio de Janeiro 7 0 0 0 0 –
Japan 2020 Tokyo future event
Total 0 0 1 1 141

Medals by sport

Sport Gold Silver Bronze Total Rank
Athletics 0 0 1 1[39]:65 96

List of medalists

Djibouti's one and only medal was a bronze awarded to Hussein Ahmed Salah in the men's marathon at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, South Korea.[40]

Medal Name Games Sport Event
 Bronze Houssein Ahmed Salah South Korea 1988 Seoul Athletics Men's marathon

Flagbearers

Summer Olympics[41]
Games Athlete Sport
United States 1984 Los Angeles Djama Robleh Athletics
South Korea 1988 Seoul Hussein Ahmed Salah Athletics
United States 1996 Atlanta Hussein Ahmed Salah Athletics
Australia 2000 Sydney Djama Robleh Athletics
Greece 2004 Athens Djibouti did not participate
China 2008 Beijing Hussein Ahmed Salah Athletics
United Kingdom 2012 London Zourah Ali (opening)
Yasmin Farah (closing)		 Athletics
Brazil 2016 Rio de Janeiro Abdi Waiss Mouhyadin Athletics

References

  1. 1 2 "Sports Reference – Countries – Djibouti". Sports Reference. Retrieved January 2, 2017.
  2. ↑ "Sports Reference – Los Angeles 1984 – Djibouti". Sports Reference. Retrieved January 2, 2017.
  3. ↑ "Sports Reference – Barcelona 1992 – Djibouti". Sports Reference. Retrieved January 2, 2017.
  4. ↑ "Sports Reference – Seoul 1998 – Djibouti – Athletics". Sports Reference. Retrieved January 2, 2017.
  5. ↑ Jones, Rachel (July 7, 2015). "The Long Run". The Big Roundtable. Archived from the original on October 7, 2016. Retrieved October 14, 2016.
  6. 1 2 Grasso, John; Mallon, Bill; Heijmans, Jeroen (May 14, 2015). Historical Dictionary of the Olympic Movement. Rowman and Littlefield.
  7. ↑ "Djibouti: Comité National Olympique et Sportif Djiboutien" [Djibouti: National Olympic and Sports Committee Djiboutian]. Association of National Committees of Africa Olympics (in French). Retrieved January 11, 2017.
  8. ↑ "Comité National Olympique et Sportif Djiboutien" [Djibouti National Olympic and Sports Committee] (in French). Retrieved January 11, 2017.
  9. ↑ "Plainte devant le CIO de douze fédérations sportives du Comité Olympique Djiboutien qui contestent la réélection de la présidente sortante pour un 3ème mandat consécutif" [Complaint to the IOC from twelve sports federations of the Djibouti Olympic Committee who contest the re-election of the outgoing president for a third consecutive term] (in French). Retrieved January 11, 2017.
  10. ↑ "Elections in Djibouti". African Elections Database. Retrieved March 6, 2017.
  11. ↑ Downey Jr., Leonard (1980-01-02). "Most Allies Cool to Boycott of Olympics". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2017-03-04.
  12. ↑ "Athletics at the 1984 Los Angeles Summer Games: Men's Marathon". Olympics at Sports-Reference.com. Sports-Reference. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved January 15, 2017.
  13. ↑ "Athletics at the 1988 Seoul Summer Games: Men's Marathon | Olympics at Sports-Reference.com". Sports-Reference. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved January 18, 2017.
  14. ↑ "Sailing at the 1988 Seoul Summer Games: Mixed Windsurfer". Olympics at Sports-Reference.com. Sports-Reference. Archived from the original on March 5, 2016. Retrieved January 18, 2017.
  15. ↑ "Judo at the 1992 Barcelona Summer Games: Men's Lightweight | Olympics at Sports-Reference.com". Sports-Reference. Archived from the original on March 5, 2016. Retrieved January 18, 2017.
  16. ↑ "Sailing at the 1992 Barcelona Summer Games: Men's Windsurfer | Olympics at Sports-Reference.com". Sports-Reference. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved January 18, 2017.
  17. ↑ "Athletics at the 1992 Barcelona Summer Games: Men's Marathon | Olympics at Sports-Reference.com". Sports-Reference. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved January 18, 2017.
  18. ↑ "Athletics at the 1992 Barcelona Summer Games: Men's 1,500 metres, Round One". Sports-Reference. Retrieved March 7, 2017.
  19. ↑ "Athletics at the 1992 Barcelona Summer Games: Men's 5,000 metres Round One". Sports-Reference. Retrieved March 7, 2017.
  20. ↑ "Athletics at the 1992 Barcelona Summer Games: Men's 10,000 metres Round One". Sports-Reference. Retrieved March 7, 2017.
  21. ↑ "Athletics at the 1992 Barcelona Summer Games: Men's Marathon | Olympics at Sports-Reference.com". Sports-Reference. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved March 7, 2017.
  22. ↑ "Sailing at the 1992 Barcelona Summer Games: Men's Windsurfer | Olympics at Sports-Reference.com". Sports-Reference. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved March 7, 2017.
  23. ↑ "Athletics at the 1996 Atlanta Summer Games: Men's Marathon". Olympics at Sports-Reference.com. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved January 18, 2017.
  24. ↑ "Sailing at the 1996 Atlanta Summer Games: Mixed One Person Dinghy". Olympics at Sports-Reference.com. Archived from the original on March 5, 2016. Retrieved January 18, 2017.
  25. ↑ "Sailing at the 1996 Atlanta Summer Games: Men's Windsurfer". Olympics at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved January 18, 2017.
  26. ↑ "First female competitors at the Olympics by country | Olympics at Sports-Reference.com". Sports Reference. October 19, 2016. Archived from the original on October 19, 2016. Retrieved January 19, 2017.
  27. ↑ "Athletics at the 2000 Sydney Summer Games: Women's 800 metres Round One". Sports Reference. Archived from the original on October 21, 2016. Retrieved January 19, 2017.
  28. ↑ "Athletics at the 2000 Sydney Summer Games: Men's Marathon". Sports Reference. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved January 19, 2017.
  29. ↑ "IAAF – Results – Olympic Games – 2008 – Women – 100 meters – Heats – Summary". IAAF. Retrieved January 19, 2017.
  30. ↑ "IAAF – Results – Olympic Games – 2008 – Men – 1500 meters – Heats – Summary". IAAF. Retrieved January 19, 2017.
  31. ↑ "Swimming: Results & Schedules". NBC Olympics. Retrieved January 19, 2017.
  32. ↑ "Yasmin Farah Hassan". Sports-reference. Retrieved January 19, 2017.
  33. ↑ "Sally Raguib - Judoka". Judo Inside. Retrieved January 19, 2017.
  34. ↑ "Moumin Geele Profile". IAAF. Retrieved January 19, 2017.
  35. 1 2 Almeida, Arthur. "Athletics Results Book Rio 2016" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on September 21, 2016. Retrieved January 19, 2017.
  36. ↑ Hinton, Marc (21 August 2016). "Rio Olympics 2016: Nick Willis claims bronze, secures spot as 1500m's oldest medallist". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 13 September 2016.
  37. ↑ "Judo: Men -66 kg". BBC. Retrieved January 2, 2017.
  38. ↑ "Olympics-Swimming-Men's 50m freestyle heats results". Yahoo! Sports. Retrieved January 2, 2017.
  39. ↑ Matthews, Peter (March 22, 2012). Historical Dictionary of Track and Field. Scarecrow Press.
  40. ↑ "Ahmed Salah Bio, Stats, and Results". Olympics at Sports-Reference.com. Sports Reference. Archived from the original on 2016-12-03. Retrieved 2017-01-11.
  41. ↑ Djibouti. Olympics at Sport-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Accessed January 9, 2017.
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