The Palau National Olympic Committee was formed in 1997, and it gained full International Olympic Committee (IOC) recognition in June 1999 at the 109th IOC session.[2] Along with Eritrea, the 2000 Olympics were first for the countries.[3] The 2000 Olympics were held from 15 September – 1 October 2000.[4] Palau was part of the torch relay, as the torch stayed in the country on 23 May for one day before heading to the Federated States of Micronesia.[5]
Palau was represented by athletes Christopher Adolf and Peoria Koshiba for athletics in the 2000 Olympic Games.[6] Adolf competed in the men's 100 meters, and Koshiba competed in the women's 100 meters. Both have previously won their 100 meters in the 1998 Micronesian Games.[3]
In the men's 100 meters, Adolf finished eighth out of nine in fourth heat of the first round, and he did not advance to the next round. Maurice Greene won the event, and Ato Boldon and Obadele Thompson won silver and bronze medals, respectively.[7]
Koshiba competed in the women's 100 meters, where she finished seventh out of eight in the second heat of the first round, and she did not advance to the quarterfinals. Marion Jones later went on to win the event, but she was stripped of her medal after she was found using performance-enhancing drugs.[8]
Key
Note–Ranks given for track events are within the athlete's heat only
Q = Qualified for the next round
q = Qualified for the next round as a fastest loser or, in field events, by position without achieving the qualifying target