Among the sporting events represented by the nation's athletes, Chinese Taipei made its Olympic debut in equestrian jumping and golf (new to the 2016 Games), as well as its return to gymnastics, boxing, and wrestling after more than fifteen years.

Apart from the veterans, twelve Taiwanese athletes previously competed in London, with weightlifter Hsu Shu-ching leading them as the only medalist to return for her second appearance in Rio de Janeiro.

Other notable athletes from Chinese Taipei also featured world's top 30 golfers Candie Kung and Teresa Lu, and lone show jumper Isheau Wong, who eventually served as the nation's second female flag bearer in the opening ceremony (the first having done so in 2008).

[7][8] Another set of three archers qualified for the women's events by virtue of the nation's podium finish in the team recurve competition at the 2016 Archery World Cup meet in Antalya, Turkey.

Chinese Taipei has entered one jumping rider into the Olympic equestrian competition, by virtue of a top individual finish at the FEI qualifying meet for Asia & Oceania in Hagen, Germany.

[22] Chinese Taipei has qualified one boat in the women's single sculls for the Olympics at the 2016 Asia & Oceania Continental Qualification Regatta in Chungju, South Korea.

Chen Chien-an scored a second-stage draw victory to book one of six remaining Olympic spots in the men's singles at the Asian Qualification Tournament in Hong Kong.

[30] Meanwhile, London 2012 semifinalist Chuang Chih-yuan, Chen Szu-yu, and Cheng I-ching were automatically selected among the top 22 eligible players each in their respective singles events based on the ITTF Olympic Rankings.

[31] Chiang Hung-chieh and Huang Yi-hua were each awarded the third spot to build the men's and women's teams for the Games by virtue of a top 10 national finish in the ITTF Olympic Rankings.

Weightlifters from Chinese Taipei have qualified three men's and four women's quota places for the Rio Olympics based on their combined team standing by points at the 2014 and 2015 IWF World Championships.

The weightlifting team, highlighted by London 2012 silver medalist Hsu Shu-ching (later granted the gold medal because of the original champion's positive blood test result for the banned steroids[38]), was named to the Olympic roster on 11 May 2016.