204 nations will be taking part in the London 2012 Olympics with about 10,500 athletes participating in the competition. There will be 302 events in 26 different sports. This is the third time London has hosted the games. The first time was 1908 and the second in 1948.
将有204个国家前来参加2012年伦敦奥运会，参赛的运动员人数大约为10,500 人。本次的伦敦奥运将有26个赛项，302场比赛。这是伦敦第三次主办奥运会，第一次为1908年，第二次为1948年。
A man preparing to take part in a running race. Photo by istock
今日短语
在体育比赛里经常会听到 to be under starter's orders 这个短语，意思是待发起跑令。
今日小常识
例句
The athletes have been waiting for this moment for years. They're under starter's orders. And they're off!
It was only a second or two but the runners seemed to be under starter's orders for hours before the pistol was fired.
请注意
Under arms 意思是出于备战状态中，随时准备作战。
Example: The rebels were under arms and an attack was just a matter of time.
