体坛英语新闻：69 Austrian athletes to compete at London Olympics

VIENNA, July 6 (Xinhua) -- The Austrian Olympic Committee (OOC) has nominated 69 athletes to take part in the 2012 London Summer Olympic Games, the APA reported on Friday.

This will make it the smallest team since the 1976 Montreal Games where 64 Austrian athletes took part, while in Beijing in 2008 the total was 70.

OOC President Karl Stoss said on Friday he hoped for three medals at the Games, the same tally as during the Beijing Games where Austria took one silver and two bronze medals.

"Statistically we have won an average of three medals over the last 10 Olympic Games. It would be nice if we could keep that average," he said.

Contrary to the selection process prior to previous Olympics campaigns, the OOC has this time decided to allow all athletes with the international right to take part in the Games the chance to.

"The international limits are very tough. If one is able to meet them, they should also be able to take part in the Olympics, we should be generous there," Stoss said.

Olympic flag-bearer for the opening ceremony on July 27 will be swimmer Markus Rogan, a two-time Olympic medallist who Stoss quoted as "being very excited."

The athletes will be sworn in by Austrian President Heinz Fischer in the Hofburg on July 16 before making their way to the Olympic village in Stratford, London.