For the athletics competitions at the 2012 Summer Olympics the following qualification systems were in place.
An NOC may also enter a maximum of 1 qualified relay team per event.
In addition to the qualifying standards below, marathon runners finishing in the top 20 of the 2011 World Championships or in the top 10 of any IAAF gold series marathon within the qualification period are also treated as having earned the A standard.
[1] The NOCs were still allowed to select participants using their own rules, on the condition all athletes have made the qualifying time.
Sweden only entered athletes good enough to reach at least 8th position, based on an assessment by the Swedish NOC.