Albania competed at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, United Kingdom from 27 July to 12 August 2012. This was the nation's seventh appearance at the Olympics since its debut in 1972. The National Olympic Committee of Albania sent a total of 11 athletes to the Games, seven men and four women, to compete in four sports. Weightlifter Hysen Pulaku was officially removed from the team on the first day, after failing a drug test for the banned anabolic steroid substance, as announced by the International Olympic Committee. Albania, however, has yet to win its first ever Olympic medal.
The Albanians competed in five sports with the same number of athletes like they did at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing in China.
In this edition, the team did not match its previous results, as it did not field Elis Guri and Sahit Prizreni.
Albania competed in Judo with World Judo Juniors Champion of 2009 and twice European Junior Champion of 2009 and 2010 Majlinda Kelmendi, who made her debut at the Olympic games. She competed at the Women's 52 kg event. In the first round she defeated Jaana Sundberg from Finland. Before losing in the round of 16 to Mauritian Judoka Legentil.
In Weightlifting Albania initially competed with four athletes, three male and one female. Briken Calja had the best result for Albania as he finished 6th in his debut for Albania lifting 320 kg in total. Romela Begaj competed for the second time for Albania but this time she wasn't able to improve on her result from the previous olympics as she finished 9th in the end.
Athletics
Albania has qualified 1 female quota place, and selected 1 male athlete by wildcard.
Track & road events Athlete Event Heat Semifinal Final Result Rank Result Rank Result Rank Klodiana Shala Women's 200 m Withdrew due to injury
Field events Athlete Event Qualification Final Distance Position Distance Position Adriatik Hoxha Men's shot put 17.58 37 did not advance
Judo
Albania had not initially qualified a judoka, but due to the International Olympic Committee's refusal to allow Kosovars of Albanian ethnicity to represent Kosovo or to compete as independent athletes, Majlinda Kelmendi represented Albania at the 2012 Summer Olympics.Kosovarja Majlinda Kelmendi do përfaqësojë Shqipërinë në Lojërat Olimpike , Tema, 2012-05-25 (in Albanian) Athlete Event Round of 32 Round of 16 Quarterfinals Semifinals Repechage Final / OppositionResult OppositionResult OppositionResult OppositionResult OppositionResult OppositionResult Rank Majlinda Kelmendi Women's −52 kg W 0020–0001 L 0101–1001 did not advance
Shooting
Athlete Event Qualification Final Points Rank Points Rank Arben Kucana Men's 10 m air pistol 577 20 did not advance Men's 50 m pistol 524 37 did not advance
Swimming
Albanian swimmers are invited. One male and one female. Athlete Event Heat Semifinal Final Time Rank Time Rank Time Rank Sidni Hoxha Men's 100 m freestyle 51.11 NR 37 did not advance Noel Borshi Women's 100 m butterfly 1:05.49 40 did not advance
Weightlifting
Albania has qualified three male and one female quota places. On 28 July, the International Olympic Committee announced that Hysen Pulaku had tested positive for stanozolol, a banned anabolic steroid, and consequently ejected him from the games. Athlete Event Snatch Clean & Jerk Total Rank Result Rank Result Rank Briken Calja, Vizion Plus, 2012-04-26 (in Albanian) Men's −69 kg 143 12 177 7 320 6 Daniel Godelli 142 — — — Endri Karina Men's −94 kg 155 15 195 14 350 14 Romela Begaj Women's −58 kg 101 7 115 12 216 9
See also Albania at the 2010 European Aquatics Championships Albania at the 2011 World Aquatics Championships
Notes a. The Albanian weightlifter, Erkand Qerimaj, resulted positive in the anti-doping test at the European Championship in Antalya, where he was found European Champion for 77 kg.Erkand Qerimaj, positive in doping test , Top Channel, 24 May 2012 He provisionally is suspended and replaced by Endri Karina.Përjashtohet Erkand Qerimaj, Top Channel, 2012-06-07 (in Albanian)
References
External links