The Central African Republic competed at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from 5 to 21 August 2016. This was the nation's tenth appearance at the Summer Olympics since its debut in 1968. Central African Republic failed to register any athletes at the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich, and was part of the African and United States-led boycotts in 1976 and 1980, respectively.
Six athletes, three per gender, were selected to the Central African Republic team across four different sports (athletics, boxing, swimming, and taekwondo) for the Games, matching their roster size at London 2012. Half of the nation's roster made their Olympic debut in Rio de Janeiro, with middle-distance runner Elisabeth Mandaba, swimmer Christian Nassif, and taekwondo fighter David Boui returning for their second appearance.[2] Meanwhile, Chloe Sauvourel, the youngest athlete on the team (aged 17), served as the nation's flag bearer in the opening ceremony.[1]
Central African Republic, however, has yet to win its first Olympic medal.
Central African Republic received an invitation from the Tripartite Commission to send a female boxer competing in the flyweight division to the Games, signifying the nation's return to the sport after an eight-year hiatus.[5]
The Central African Republic received an invitation from the Tripartite Commission to send London 2012 Olympian David Boui in the men's lightweight category (68 kg) into the Olympic taekwondo competition.[9]