North Borneo at the 1956 Summer Olympics

North Borneo at the
1956 Summer Olympics
Flag of North Borneo
IOC codeNBO
NOCNorth Borneo Olympic Committee
in Melbourne/Stockholm
Competitors2 in 1 sport
Flag bearerChacha G. S. Kler.
Medals
Gold
0
Silver
0
Bronze
0
Total
0
Summer Olympics appearances (overview)
    Other related appearances
     Malaysia (1968–)

    North Borneo was represented at the 1956 Summer Olympics in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia by the North Borneo Olympic Committee. It was the only time that the Crown colony would compete at the Olympics before it became part of Malaysia.

    In total, two athletes – both men – represented North Borneo in one sport: athletics.

    Background

    Shortly after World War II, North Borneo became a Crown Colony of the United Kingdom.[1] The North Borneo Olympic Committee was recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on 24 January 1956 allowing the North Borneo to compete in the 1956 Summer Olympics in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.[2]

    Competitors

    In total, two athletes represented North Borneo at the 1956 Summer Olympics in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia across one sport.[3]

    Sport Men Women Total
    Athletics 2 0 2
    Total 2 0 2

    Athletics

    In total, two North Bornean athletes participated in the athletics events – Gabuh Piging and Sium Diau in the men's triple jump. Piging was also entered in the men's long jump but did not start.[3]

    The athletics events took place at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Yarra Park, Melbourne from 23 November to 1 December 1956.[4]

    The qualifying round for the men's triple jump took place on 27 November 1956. Piging's best attempt of 14.55 m came on his second jump and saw him ranked 24th overall. Diau's best attempt of 14.9 m came on his third and final jump and saw him ranked 28th overall. Neither advanced to the final round.[5]

    Athlete Event Qualifying Final
    Result Rank Result Rank
    Gabuh Piging Men's triple jump 14.55 m 24 Did not advance
    Sium Diau 14.09 m 28 Did not advance

    Aftermath

    North Borneo did not take part in the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome, Italy. In 1963, the Crown colonies of North Borneo, Sarawak and Singapore megred with Malaya to form Malaysia.[2][6][7]

    References

    1. ^ "British North Borneo Becomes Crown Colony". Trove. 18 July 1946. Retrieved 17 May 2016.
    2. ^ a b "North Borneo (NBO)". Olympedia. Retrieved 7 July 2025.
    3. ^ a b "North Borneo at the 1956 Summer Olympics". Olympedia. Retrieved 7 July 2025.
    4. ^ "Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, Victoria". Olympedia. Retrieved 7 July 2025.
    5. ^ "1956 Summer Olympics, Triple Jump, Men". Olympedia. Retrieved 7 July 2025.
    6. ^ Oh, GL (7 August 2021). "Sabah participated in the Olympics – as North Borneo". Daily Express. Archived from the original on 8 August 2021. Retrieved 21 September 2021.
    7. ^ Afifah, Nur (27 July 2021). "Tahukah Anda Bahawa Sabah Pernah Menyertai Temasya Sukan Olimpik Sebagai Sebuah Negara?" [Did You Know That Sabah Once Participated In The Olympics As A Nation?] (in Malay). ILoveBorneo.my. Archived from the original on 21 September 2021. Retrieved 21 September 2021.