Five athletes from Benin were selected to the team, 4 men and 1 woman, to compete only in athletics, boxing, judo, and swimming. Among the five athletes, track runner Mathieu Gnanligo competed only at his second consecutive Olympics. Judoka Jacob Gnahoui became the nation's first male flag bearer at the opening ceremony since 1984. Benin, however, has yet to win its first Olympic medal.
Athletes from Benin have so far achieved qualifying standards in the following athletics events (up to a maximum of 3 athletes in each event at the 'A' Standard, and 1 at the 'B' Standard):[1][2]