Comité National Olympique et Sportif du Cameroun sent a total of 33 athletes to the Games, 10 men and 23 women, to compete in 9 sports.

For the first time in its Olympic history, Cameroon was represented by more female than male athletes because of its presence in women's football.

Freestyle wrestler and All-African Games gold medalist Annabelle Ali was the nation's flag bearer at the opening ceremony.

Seven of its athletes "defected" while participating in the Olympics,[2] including the reserve goalkeeper Drusille Ngako, swimmer Paul Ekane Edingue and boxers Thomas Essomba, Christian Donfack Adjoufack, Abdon Mewoli, Blaise Yepmou Mendouo and Serge Ambomo.

Madias Nzesso originally finished sixth in her event, but after all three medalists were disqualified for doping offenses, she was promoted to a bronze medal.