Reïna-Flor Okori, at age 36, was the only Equatoguinean female competitor. She had previously competed at the previous three Summer Games but with the French Olympic team. She was notable for being the flag bearer for the opening and closing ceremonies. Okori qualified for the Games via a wildcard because she had not recorded a qualifying standard time for her event, the women's 100 metre hurdles. She spent time training in Equatorial Guinea and France preparing for the Games. In an interview before the Games Okori said she aimed to reach the final stage of her event and earn Equatorial Guinea's first Olympic gold medal. She was due to compete in the contest's sixth heat on 16 August alongside seven other participants but was unable to start the event because of a ruptured popliteal cyst.