First contingent of Algerian athletes depart to London

ALGIERS, July 20 (Xinhua) -- The first contingent¹ of Algerian athletes for the Olympic Games (July 27-August 12) left here for London on Friday, the local APS news agency reported.

Three athletes departed from the International Airport of Houari Boumedien in Algiers, while female fencer Moutoussami Melissa Lea should have reached London directly from Paris where she lives, the source noted².

The Algerian athletes of the first contingent represent three disciplines, including fencing, rowing and cycling.

Two other contingents³ are due to join London on July 24 and July 31 respectively, while the last group will be there on Aug. 6.

As many as 39 Algerian athletes will contest in 12 disciplines, including twelve volley ball female players, who have been selected to partake in the Olympic Games of London, comparing to 61 athletes in Beijing Games in 2008.

A sport official explained such a drop in the number of selected athletes by "restricted technical criteria⁴" set by different federations⁵.

In a bid to encourage the athletes, a pre-departure ceremony was held Thursday evening in Algiers, by the Algerian Olympic Committee (COA). The ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Ahmed Ouyahia, government officials, and the British Ambassador to Algeria Martyn Keith Roper.

1 contingent   

adj.视条件而定的；n.一组，代表团，分遣队

参考例句：

• The contingent marched in the direction of the Western Hills.队伍朝西山的方向前进。
• Whether or not we arrive on time is contingent on the weather.我们是否按时到达要视天气情况而定。

2 noted   

adj.著名的，知名的

参考例句：

• The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
• Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。

3 contingents   

（志趣相投、尤指来自同一地方的）一组与会者( contingent的名词复数 )； 代表团； （军队的）分遣队； 小分队

参考例句：

• We were forced to rely on French contingents. 我们势必被迫依恃法国驻军。
• The internal security forces are composed of contingents and mobile divisions. 内卫部队由各总队和机动师组成。

4 criteria   

n.标准

参考例句：

• The main criterion is value for money.主要的标准是钱要用得划算。
• There are strict criteria for inclusion in the competition.参赛的标准很严格。

5 federations   

n.联邦( federation的名词复数 )；同盟；联盟；联合会

参考例句：

• These problems are women's special problems and special work of women's federations. 这样的问题，就是妇女的特殊问题，就是妇联的特殊工作。 来自互联网
• The Bridge Federate is a feasible solution to achieve multi-federations interconnection. 基于桥接成员实现多联邦互连是目前较为通用和可行的方法。 来自互联网