The British Virgin Islands Olympic Committee was recognized by the International Olympic Committee on 31 December 1981. The territory joined Olympic competition at the 1984 Winter Olympics, and have had participated in every Summer Olympic Games since the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics. This made London their eighth appearance at a Summer Olympics. As of 2018, they have never won a medal in Olympic competition. The 2012 Summer Olympics were held from 27 July to 12 August 2012; a total of 10,568 athletes represented 204 National Olympic Committees. The British Virgin Islands delegation to London included two track and field athletes; J'maal Alexander and Tahesia Harrigan-Scott. Harrigan-Scott was chosen as the flag bearer for the parade of nations during the opening ceremony and for the closing ceremony. She had also been the flag bearer during the 2008 Summer Olympics opening ceremony four years prior.