Eswatini (Swaziland) competed at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, which was held from 27 July to 12 August 2012. The country's participation at London marked its ninth appearance in the Summer Olympics since its debut at the 1972 Summer Olympics. The delegation included two track and field athletes: Sibusiso Matsenjwa and Phumlile Ndzinisa, and one swimmer, Luke Hall; the first two competitors qualified for the Games through wildcard places while Hall was awarded a universality place by FINA. Hall was selected as the flag bearer for the opening ceremony and Matensjwa held it for the closing ceremony. All three competitors did not advance further than the heat stages of their respective events.
The 2012 Summer Games marked Sibusiso Matsenjwa's Olympic début. He was oldest competitor for Swaziland at the Games, aged 24.[3] He qualified for the Olympics via a wildcard, as his best time, 21.29 seconds set at the 2011 World Championships in Athletics, was 0.64 seconds slower than the "B" qualifying standard for his event, the men's 200 metres.[8][9] In an interview with the Times of Swaziland before competing Matsenjwa said that he was learning from training with other Olympic athletes and was confident of improving his performance.[10] Matsenjwa competed in the men's 200 metres race in the third heat of the first round on 7 August, finishing sixth out of eight athletes with a time of 20.93 seconds,[11] setting a new Swaziland national record.[12] Overall he finished 40th out of 53 athletes,[a] and was 0.21 seconds slower than the slowest qualifier for the semi-finals and, therefore, that was the end of his competition.[11]
The London Olympic Stadium, where Matsenjwa and Ndzinisa competed in track and field events
Competing at her first Olympics, Phumlile Ndzinisa was notable for carrying the Swaziland flag at the closing ceremony.[5] She was the youngest person to compete for Swaziland at the Games, aged 19.[3] She qualified for the Olympics via a wildcard, as her best time, 54.26 seconds set at the 2011 All-Africa Games, was 1.96 seconds slower than the "B" qualifying standard for the women's 400 metres.[8][13] Ndzinisa took part in the first round of the women's 400 metres and was drawn in the fourth heat. She finished sixth with a time of 53.95 seconds, behind heat winner and eventual gold medallist Sanya Richards-Ross of the United States (51.78 seconds).[14] Ndzinisa finished 36th out of 45 athletes overall,[b] and was 1.64 seconds behind the slowest qualifier who progressed to the semi-finals and that was the end of her competition.[14]
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
Luke Hall, who at the age of 23 was participating in his second Olympic Games,[15] was notable for holding the flag of Swaziland at the opening ceremony.[4] He qualified after receiving a universality place by FINA as his best time of 23.92 seconds did not reach the "A" or "B" standard entry times.[16][17] Hall was drawn in heat four of the men's 50 metre freestyle event which was held on 2 August, finishing fourth out of eight swimmers with a time of 23:48 seconds. He finished 36th out of 58 swimmers overall and finished 1.21 seconds slower than the slowest swimmer to progress to the next round and he was eliminated from the competition.[18]
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