Kiribati competed at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from August 5 to 21, 2016.

The Kiribati team consisted of three athletes: track sprinters John Ruuka and Karitaake Tewaaki, and weightlifter David Katoatau, who reprised his role of leading the delegation for the third straight time as the nation's flag bearer in the opening ceremony.

[3] David Katoatau reprised his role as Kiribati's opening ceremonies flag bearer for the third consecutive Olympics.

[5] Kiribati did not have a closing ceremony flag bearer, and a volunteer performed the task.

[6] Kiribati received universality slots from IAAF to send two athletes (one male and one female) to the Olympics.

[14] Kiribati qualified one male weightlifter for the Rio Olympics by virtue of a top five national finish at the 2016 Oceania Championships.

[17] He lived and trained for the Olympics at the Oceania Weightlifting Institute in Nouméa, New Caledonia.