Cape Verde was represented by one male athlete at the 2012 Olympics in athletics – Ruben Sança, a 5000 metres runner. Making his Olympic debut at these Games, Sança was given a university place after previously competing in the marathon at the 2011 World Championships and the 1500 meters at the 2009 Lusophony Games. He competed on 8 August in the 5000 metres event, finishing last out of 21 athletes in heat two in a time of 14 minutes and 35.19 seconds. He was 1 minute and 20.04 seconds behind the winner of his heat, Dejen Gebremeskel. Overall he finished 40th out of 43 athletes, and he was 1 minute and 13.98 seconds slower than the slowest athlete that progressed to the final round and, therefore, that was the end of his competition.