Palau at the 2000 Summer Olympics her medal after she was found using performance-enhancing drugs. Women Palau at the 2000 Summer Olympics Palau competed in the Olympic Games for the first time at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia. Palau is an island country located in the western region of the Caroline Islands, with a population of 21,431 as of July 2017. The nation gained independence in 1994 from the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, under the trusteeship of the United States. The two countries also entered the Compact of Free Association that year, allowing the United States to be responsible for Palau's national
Mauritania at the 2000 Summer Olympics Los Angeles Olympics, and have sent a delegation to every Summer Olympic Games since; they have yet to make their first appearance at the Winter Olympic Games. These Sydney Olympics were the nation's fifth appearance at a Summer Olympiad. The 2000 Summer Olympics were held from 15 September to 1 October 2000; a total of 10,651 athletes represented 199 NOCs. The Mauritanian delegation consisted of two track and field athletes, Sidi Mohamed Ould Bidjel and Fatou Dieng. Ould Bidjel was selected as the flag-bearer for the opening ceremony. Fatou Dieng was 16 years old at the time of the Sydney