TASK 2: Research, 2012 olimpycs part 6

4,200 athletes from 160 countries are expected to attend with 471 medal events on the programme.

There are currently 196 independent countries or States around the world. Territories of countries or individual parts of a country are not countries in their own right.

'In the last three Paralympic Games (Beijing 2008, Athens 2004 and Sydney 2000) Paralympics GB has never finished lower than second in the medal table. Beijing 2008 was the most successful Paralympic Games ever for Paralympics GB with a final tally of 42 gold medals.

More than half, 55 per cent, of the British Paralympic team in Beijing in 2008 were at their first Games, making London 2012 a fantastic prospect for more medals.'


http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/olympics/paralympic-sport/6110150/London-2012-20-Paralympic-Games-facts.html