Sport in Equatorial Guinea
Equatorial Guinea is a small Central African nation with a big love of football. It was introduced to the country in the Spanish colonial times and has grown to be the most popular sport in the country. Their national football team has made quite a few impacts like qualifying for the FIFA World Cup in 2006 as well as the African Cup of Nations. They co-hosted, along with Gabon, the 2012 African Cup of Nations by hosting it in Malabo and Bata.
The Equatorial Guinea National Olympic Committee was formed in 1980 and received recognition by in 1984 from the International Olympic Committee just in time to participate in the 1984 Summer Olympic Games. They have participated in all Summer Olympic Games ever since but is yet to send any athlete to the Winter Olympic Games. One athlete did receive some notoriety in the 2000 Summer Games, which was held in Sydney, but not because of winning. Eric “The Eel” Moussambani was known for his unusually slow performance in his event. It took him 1:52.72 to swim 100m, twice as slow as the winner of the event. But considering that he only learned how to swim in a pool a few months before, it is not “The Eel's” fault.
Below are details of sports, sporting events and sports people related to Equatorial Guinea. Is there something missing? If you know of something that should be listed here, please let us know.
Popular sports of Equatorial Guinea
Equatorial Guinea Sporting Success
- Qualifying for the FIFA World Cup in 2006
Great athletes from Equatorial Guinea
Equatorial Guinea Sports trivia
- Eric “The Eel” Moussambani was made famous for his unusually slow performance in the 100m freestyle at the 2000 Olympic Games. It took him 1:52.72 to swim 100m, twice as slow as the winner. His female compatriot Paula Bolopa, nicknamed 'The Crawler', competed in the women's 50 metres freestyle, finishing last in her heat in a time of 01:03.97, which was double the second-worst time.
Equatorial Guinea at major events
- Equatorial Guinea at the Summer Olympics
- Equatorial Guinea women's football team at the FIFA Women's World Cup
Past sporting events hosted in Equatorial Guinea
- 2012 African Cup of Nations - co-hosted with Gabon
- 2015 Africa Cup of Nations
Upcoming sporting events in Equatorial Guinea
Annual sporting events held in Equatorial Guinea
Sporting Facilities in Equatorial Guinea
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