A former colony of Great Britain, the island nation became fully independent within The Commonwealth in 1978.

[3] The members of the Tuvaluan team at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing were Logona Esau and two competitors in the woman's and men's 100 metre sprint.

[4] Asenate "Nancy" Manoa competed for Tuvalu in the Beijing Olympics as part of the women's 100 metres races.

Manoa previously trained on Funafuti International Airport's runway until continuing her training in Fiji; her competition in Beijing marked both her Olympic début and the first time she ever used starting blocks or competed on a synthetic track.

Okilani Tinilau was the only male athlete from Tuvalu who competed in a track and field event, representing the country in the men's 100 metres races at the Beijing Olympics.

[7] During the course of the races, which took place during August 14, Tinilau competed in the tenth heat against seven other athletes.

Born in the South Pacific island nation of Nauru in 1987, Esau was 21 years old at the time of his participation in his Beijing event.

He was the most experienced and decorated of the three Tuvaluan athletes who came to Beijing's Olympic Games, having previously medaled in Oceanian international competitions.

His total score, a combination of his highest snatch and clean and jerk lifts, was 254 kilograms.

In comparison, Liao Hui of China won the gold medal after lifting a combined 348 kilograms.