Mauritania at the 2008 Summer Olympics

Souleymane Ould Chebal competed at the 2008 Summer Olympics in the 800 meters. He was notable for carrying the Mauritania flag at the opening ceremony.^[4] Making his debut at the Summer Olympics, he qualified via a wildcard place as his best time, 1:56.45 in the 2007 World Championships in Athletics 800 meters, was 9.45 seconds slower than the "B" qualifying standard required.^[3][5][6] He competed on 20 August against seven other athletes in heat five, finishing last out of the seven that finished with a time of 1 minute 57.43 seconds.^[7] He was 11.25 seconds slower than the winner of his heat Manuel Olmedo. Overall he finished 61st out of 65 athletes,^[a] and was 10.91 seconds behind the slowest athlete that progressed to the next round and, therefore, that was the end of his competition.^[8]

Competing at her first Olympics, Bounkou Camara qualified for the Summer Olympics via a wildcard place as her best time, 13.93 seconds in the 2007 World Championships in Athletics Women's 100 meters, was 2.51 seconds slower than the "B" qualifying standard required.^[3][9][10] She competed on August 16 in the third heat against eight other athletes, finishing last with a time of 13.69 seconds.^[11] She was 2.36 seconds slower than the winner of her heat Muna Lee. Overall Camara finished 79th out of 85 athletes and was 2.08 seconds behind the slowest athlete that progressed to the quarter-finals. Therefore, she did not advance.^[12]

Men

Women