[3] Among the Malian athletes were freestyle swimmer Fatoumata Samassékou, the lone returning Olympian from the previous Games, sprinter and opening ceremony flag bearer Djénébou Danté,[2][1] and taekwondo fighter and 2015 world bronze medalist Ismaël Coulibaly, who led the squad as the most successful member and the nation's flag bearer in the closing ceremony.

Mali has received universality slots from IAAF to send two athletes (one male and one female) to the Olympics.

Ayouba Traore earned a continental quota spot from the African region, as the highest-ranked Malian judoka outside of direct qualifying position in the IJF World Ranking List of May 30, 2016.

[7] Mali has received a Universality invitation from FINA to send two swimmers (one male and one female) to the Olympics.

2015 Worlds bronze medalist Ismaël Coulibaly secured a spot in the men's welterweight category (80 kg) by virtue of his top two finish at the 2016 African Qualification Tournament in Agadir, Morocco.