London Olympic has 204 nations, territories to compete

More than 10,000 athletes from 204 countries and territories will take part in the London Olympics.
The International Olympic Committee said on Tuesday that about 10,500 athletes are expected to compete in the Summer Games that open on Friday.The same number of countries took part in the Beijing Games 4 years ago.

Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Brunei are sending female athletes to the Olympics for the first time. Women's participation in the Games has been restricted in these countries for religious reasons.The IOC says only 2 teams have no women competitors. This is because their women athletes failed to meet Olympic qualifying times.

Four athletes will compete as individuals under the Olympic flag. They include a marathon runner from South Sudan and citizens of the Netherlands Antilles.South Sudan became independent in July last year but the country's Olympic committee has not been recognized by the IOC.  media agencies