São Tomé and Príncipe participated in every Summer Olympic Games between its debut in the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta and the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. In Beijing, the nation was making its fourth appearance at the Olympics, having never competed in a Winter Olympic Games. With three competitors, this was the most participants ever sent to an Olympics by São Tomé and Príncipe. The country had never won a medal in Olympic competition. Long-distance runner Celma Bonfim da Graça was selected as the flagbearer for the parade of nations at the opening ceremony. An unknown assistant of the National Olympic Committee carried the flag in the closing ceremony.