You’ve the big-boys of United states, China and Russia flexing their ‘might’ and invested big in their top elite athletes. How about the athletes from smaller countries?

Well they have every chance of achieving ‘something’ at the Games; despite being sent to the Games via a wildcard entry; perhaps a personal best or a new national record

Here’s a few athletics athlete from the smaller country like us Singapore (270 sq mi with 4.6 million population) whom we have sent Calvin Kang and Zhang Guirong

British Virgin Islands (59 sq mi with 22,000 population)

Although part of British overseas territory, they attend the Olympics seperate from Britain. Tahesia Harrigan (Female, 100m PB 11.23s & 200m PB 22.98s) Eric Matthias (Competing in Olympic Men’s Discus Throw, PB 55.87m) are their only two athletes

Brunei Darussalam (2,226 sq mi with 380,000 population)

A country located on the north coast of the island of Borneo, in Southeast Asia who gained independence from the United Kingdom on 1 January 1984. Mohd Yazid Yatimi Yusof (Competing in Olympic Men’s Shotput andSEA Games 2007 discus throw bronze medalist 41.82m) is their only sole athlete for athletics

Somali Republic (246,201 sq mi with 9.5 million population)

Formerly known as the Somali Democratic Republic, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. Somalia has had no effective national government since 1991. The internationally recognized Transitional Federal Government, controls only parts of Southern Somalia from its base in the town of Baidoa, and is not recognized by most Somalis. Mogadishu is the capital of Somalia. You might remember the movie ‘Black Hawk Down’ inspired by this nation political turmoil. They’re are sending Abdinasir Said Ibrahim (Competing in Men’s 5000m) and Samia Yusuf Omar (Will compete in women’s 200m)

Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste (5,743 sq mi with 1.1 million population)

A country in Southeast Asia and a former Portuguese colonial outpost. A predominantly Roman Catholic country and one of the poorest country in the world. They are sending Mariana Dias Ximenes (Women’s Marathon) and Augusto Ramos Soares (Men’s Marathon)

Islamic Republic of Mauritania (397,954 sq mi with 3 million population)

This is a country in northwest Africa where the civilian government of Mauritania was recently overthrown on August 6, 2008 in a military coup d’état. Mauritania is generally flat and the coastal waters are among the richest fishing areas in the world. They are represented by Bounkou Camara (Female, 100m PB of 13.93s) and Souleymane Chabal El Moctar (Male, 800 PB of 1:56.45)

Republic of Chad (495,753 sq mi with 10.7 million population)

This is a is a landlocked country in central Africa. Due to its distance from the sea and its largely desert climate, the country is sometimes referred to as the “Dead Heart of Africa”. Islam is the most widely practiced religion. The nation best hope are Hinikissia Albertine Ndikert (Women’s 100m) and Moumi Sebergue (Men’s 100m, PB of 10.51s)

Republic of Sierra Leone (27,699 sq mi with 6.2 million population)

This is a country in West Africa. Sierra Leone is the lowest ranked country on the Human Development Index and seventh lowest on the Human Poverty Index, suffering from endemic corruption and suppression of the press. Despite that they’re sending Solomon Bayoh (Male, 200m PB of 21.73s) and Michaela Kargbo (Female, competing in 100m)

Here’s a link to the full athletics schedule