Afghanistan sent a team to compete at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China.

[2][3][4] Initially, Mehboba Ahdyar prepared to run the 800 metres and 1500 metres,[2][5] but left her training camp on June 4 to seek political asylum in Norway.

[6][7] The country was represented by two competitors in athletics, and two in taekwondo.

[2] Afghanistan won its first ever Olympic medal at these games, with Rohullah Nikpai taking bronze in men's 58 kg taekwondo.

Competitors in athletics events could qualify for the next round of competition in two ways.