In the 800 meters event at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Guliyeva placed second in her first-round heat with a time of 2:01.08. She then placed second in the semifinals with a time of 1:59.45. She won the bronze medal that day in the 800 m final with a time of 1:57.53 behind fellow Russian Mariya Savinova (1:56.19) and Caster Semenya of South Africa (1:57.23).