In the months prior to the London Games, Brunei attracted media attention as it was noted that the nation was one of only three countries—along with Saudi Arabia and Qatar—never to have sent a female athlete to the Olympics.
Dalam beberapa bulan sebelum dimulainya Olimpiade, Brunei Darussalam menarik perhatian sejumlah pers setelah diketahui bahwa negara ini merupakan salah satu dari 3 negara (selain Arab Saudi dan Qatar) yang belum pernah mengikutsertakan atlet putri di Olimpiade.