São Tomé and Príncipe participated in every Summer Olympic Games between its debut in the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta and the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing.[1] In Beijing, the nation was making its fourth appearance at the Olympics, having never competed in a Winter Olympic Games.[1] With three competitors, this was the most participants ever sent to an Olympics by São Tomé and Príncipe. The country had never won a medal in Olympic competition.[1] Long-distance runner Celma Bonfim da Graça was selected as the flagbearer for the parade of nations at the opening ceremony.[2] An unknown assistant of the National Olympic Committee carried the flag in the closing ceremony.[3]
Naiel Santiago D'Almeida was 21 years old at the time of the 2008 Olympics, and competing in his first Olympics.[4] On 18 August 2008, he took part in the heats of the Men's 400 meters race. He was drawn into the 7th and final heat of the race, a race he finished in 49.08 seconds. This was last in his heat, and the second slowest time of all the competitors. As such, he failed to advance to the semi-finals.[5]
Long-distance runner Celma Bonfim da Graça, who was making her Olympic debut, was 30 years old at the time, making her São Tomé and Príncipe's oldest competitor at these Games.[4] At the time, she was the country's oldest Olympian ever, a record she would herself beat at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.[1] On 19 August 2008 she took part in the first heat of the women's 5,000 metres, a heat she finished in 17 minutes and 25.99 seconds. This was in 16th and last place of that race, and she did not qualify for the final.[6]
Sprint canoeist Alcino Silva was 17 years old at the time of the competition.[4] On 18 August 2008 he took part in the Men's K-1 1,000 metres, he was drawn into in the second of three heats. He finished the race with a time of 4 minutes and 28.05, ninth and last in his heat. Only the top 7 of each heat were able to advance in the competition.[7] The next day he took part in the heats of the Men's K-1 500 metres competition. He was placed into the third of four heats, and finished his heat in 6th (out of 7 competitors), with a time of 1 minute and 58 seconds. Being in the top 6 of his heat, Alcino advanced to the semi-finals.[8] In the semi-finals, held on 21 August, he was drawn into heat three. This time, only the top three from each semi-final would be allowed to advance to the final. He finished 9th and last in his heat with a time of 2 minutes and 6 seconds, and was eliminated.[9]