São Tomé and Príncipe participated at five Summer Olympic games from its debut in the 1996 Summer OlympicsinAtlanta and its appearance at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London.[1] The highest number of São Tomé and Príncipe athletes participating in a summer games is three in the 2008 games in Beijing, China.[1][4] No São Tomé and Príncipe athlete has ever won a medal at the Olympics.[1] Two track and field athletes from São Tomé and Príncipe were selected to compete in the London games: Christopher Lima da Costa in the men's 100 m and Lecabela Quaresma in the women's 100 m hurdles.[5]
Christopher Lima da Costa was the only male athlete representing São Tomé and Príncipe at the London Olympics. He had not previously competed at any Olympic games.[6] He competed in the men's 100 metres race on August 4, competing against six other athletes in the first heat. He finished the race in 11.56 seconds (his personal best), finishing last of the seven entrants.[7]Kilakone SiphonexayofLaos placed directly ahead of da Costa (11.30 seconds) in a heat led by Bruno RojasofBolivia (10.62 seconds).[7] The Santomean athlete placed 73rd of the 75 athletes, and therefore did not advance to later rounds.[8]
Lecabela Quaresma competed on behalf of São Tomé and Príncipe at the London Olympic Games in the women's 100 metre hurdles. Quaresma became affiliated with sports organizations in Portugal and was 22 years old at the time of her competition at the London Olympics. She had not previously competed at any Olympic Games.[9] Quaresma competed against seven other athletes in the second heat on August 6. Quaresma finished the race in 14.54 seconds, finishing last out of the six finishing athletes.[a][10] She ranked behind Anastassiya PilipenkoofKazakhstan (13.77 seconds) in a heat led by Beate SchrottofAustria (13.09 seconds) and Eline BeringsofBelgium (13.46 seconds).[7] Of the 46 finishing athletes, Quaresma placed 42nd and did not advance to later rounds.[11]
Key
Note–Ranks given for track events are within the athlete's heat only
Q = Qualified for the next round
q = Qualified for the next round as a fastest loser or, in field events, by position without achieving the qualifying target
