| Portugal at the 2012 Summer Olympics | |
|---|---|
 | |
| IOC code | POR |
| NOC | Olympic Committee of Portugal |
| Website | www |
| in London | |
| Competitors | 77 in 13 sports |
| Flag bearers | Telma Monteiro (opening)[1] Fernando Pimenta (closing)[2] |
| Medals Ranked 69th |
|
| Summer Olympics appearances (overview) | |
Portugal competed at the 2012 Summer Olympics, held in London, from 27 July to 12 August 2012. The nation celebrated its centennial anniversary participating in the Olympics, having participated at every Summer edition since 1912. The Olympic Committee of Portugal sent a total of 77 athletes to the Games, 45 men and 32 women, to compete in 13 sports. Despite having the same number of athletes as in Beijing, Portugal did not qualify any athletes in archery, fencing and taekwondo.[3]
Thirty-eight of the Portuguese athletes had competed in Beijing, including sailor Gustavo Lima, who had finished fourth in men's Laser class, and race walker Ana Cabecinha, who had set a national record for her sporting event. Windsurfer and multiple-time European champion João Rodrigues became the first Portuguese athlete to compete in six Olympic Games. Meanwhile, former middle-distance runner Luís Feiteira made his Olympic comeback in London to compete in the men's marathon after a sixteen-year absence. Pistol shooter João Costa, at age 47, was the oldest athlete on the team, while breaststroke swimmer Ana Rodrigues was the youngest at age 18. Judoka Telma Monteiro, who claimed two titles each in World Cup, and in the European championships, became Portugal's first female flag bearer at the opening ceremony since 1996.
Portugal left London with only a silver medal, won by sprint kayak pair Emanuel Silva and Fernando Pimenta. This was considered the nation's worst Olympic Games since 1992, following poor performances by the athletes, and the absence of former Olympic medalists from the team due to injuries. Notable absences included the defending champion Nelson Évora in the men's triple jump, triathlete Vanessa Fernandes, former medalists Francis Obikwelu and Rui Silva, and long jumper Naide Gomes.[3]
