The Solomon Islands sent a delegation to compete at the

2004 Summer Olympics The 2004 Summer Olympics ( el, Θερινοί Ολυμπιακοί Αγώνες 2004, ), officially the Games of the XXVIII Olympiad ( el, Αγώνες της 28ης Ολυμπιάδας, ) and also known as Athens 2004 ( el, Αθήνα 2004), ...

in Athens, Greece, from 13 to 29 August 2004. This was the nation's sixth appearance at a

Summer Olympic Games The Summer Olympic Games (french: link=no, Jeux olympiques d'été), also known as the Games of the Olympiad, and often referred to as the Summer Olympics, is a major international multi-sport event normally held once every four years. The inau ...

since their debut in the

1984 Summer Olympics The 1984 Summer Olympics (officially the Games of the XXIII Olympiad and also known as Los Angeles 1984) were an international multi-sport event held from July 28 to August 12, 1984, in Los Angeles, California, United States. It marked the secon ...

. The Solomon Islands sent two athletes to these games, both in track and field:

Francis Manioru Francis Manioru (born September 17, 1981) is a sprinter from the Solomon Islands who specializes in the 100 metres.

and

Jenny Keni Jenny Keni (born October 11, 1982) is a sprinter from the Solomon Islands. Keni has represented her country at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney and the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, as well as the 2002 Commonwealth Games. She also took pa ...

. Manioru competed in the men's 100 meters and Keni in the women's event of the same distance. Neither advanced out of their event's heats.

Background

The National Olympic Committee of Solomon Islands was recognized by the International Olympic Committee on 31 December 1982. The Athens Games were their sixth straight appearance in the

since their debut in the

. The Solomon Islands have never won a medal in Olympic competition. The 2004 Summer Olympics were held from 13 to 29 August 2004; a total of 10,625 athletes participated, representing 201 National Olympic Committees. The Solomon Islands sent two athletes to Athens, both in track and field: Francis Manioru and Jenny Keni. Manioru was chosen as the flag bearer for the

opening ceremony An opening ceremony, grand opening, or ribbon-cutting ceremony marks the official opening of a newly-constructed location or the start of an event.

Athletics

Francis Manioru Francis Manioru (born September 17, 1981) is a sprinter from the Solomon Islands who specializes in the 100 metres.

was 22 at the time of the Athens Olympics, and was making his Olympic debut. In the first round of the men's 100 meters, he was drawn into heat nine. He finished the race in 11.05 seconds, seventh place out of nine in his heat. However, only the top three from a heat and the ten next fastest overall from all ten heats were allowed to advance, and he was eliminated, the slowest qualifying time being 10.43 seconds. The gold medal was won by Justin Gatlin of the United States in a time of 9.85 seconds, silver was won by

Francis Obikwelu Francis Obiorah Obikwelu, GOIH (born 22 November 1978) is a retired Nigerian-born Portuguese sprinter, who specialized in 100 metres and 200 metres. He was the 2004 Olympic silver medalist in the 100 metres. In the same race, he ...

of Portugal in 9.86 seconds, and bronze by Maurice Greene, also of the United States, in 9.87 seconds. Four years later, Manioru would represent the Solomon Islands at the 2008 Summer Olympics.

was 21 years old at the time of these Games, and had previously represented the Solomon Islands at the 2000 Summer Olympics. In the preliminary heats of the women's 100 meters, she was drawn into heat five. She finished the race in 12.76 seconds, eighth and last in her heat, only the top three from a heat and the next eight fastest overall from all eight heats could advance; the slowest qualifying time was 11.45 seconds, and Keni was eliminated. The gold medal was won by Yulia Nestsiarenka of Belarus in a time of 10.93 seconds; the silver was taken by Lauryn Williams of the United States, and bronze was won by

Veronica Campbell-Brown Veronica Campbell-Brown CD ( Campbell; born 15 May 1982) is a retired Jamaican track and field sprinter, who specialized in the 100 and 200 meters.

of Jamaica. *Note–Ranks given for track events are within the athlete's heat only

References

External links

Official Report of the XXVIII Olympiad
{{Country at games navbox, Solomon Islands, Summer Olympics Nations at the 2004 Summer Olympics

2004 2004 was designated as an International Year of Rice by the United Nations, and the International Year to Commemorate the Struggle Against Slavery and its Abolition (by UNESCO). Events January * January 3 – Flash Airlines Flight 6 ...

Olympics The modern Olympic Games or Olympics (french: link=no, Jeux olympiques) are the leading international sporting events featuring summer and winter sports competitions in which thousands of athletes from around the world participate in a var ...