Rooftop Missiles; Olympic Team Announcements; 50 Days to Paralympics

Judge Clears Rooftop Missiles

A British judge said missiles atop a London apartment proved "no real threat" to residents, clearing them for security use during the Games.

Residents of the Fred Wigg Tower in east London filed a motion in British court saying the missiles would increase the building’s likelihood of being a terrorist target .

Judge Charles Haddon-Cave disagreed and approved the missile placement on Tuesday.

In April, the Ministry of Defense announced it would place surface-to-air missiles in six sites around London for Olympic security.

Olympic Team Announcements

National Olympic Committees around the world confirmed their delegations to the London Olympics on Tuesday, naming 1,124 Olympians, or more than 8 percent of all competitors at the Games.

Russia's quest to notch third place in the London 2012 medals table depends on the performances of 436 athletes unveiled for the Games - that's 32 fewer than competed at Beijing 2008.

Russian Olympic Committee president Alexander Zhukov confirmed that 228 women and 208 men from 59 of the country's 83 regions would take part, RIA Novosti reported.

The entire Russian delegation, including coaches and other officials, numbers 805.

South Korea will send 250 athletes to London according to media reports. The athletes qualified for 22 sports. While it will be the smallest South Korean team in 30 years, officials have said they are aiming for a top-10 finish in the medal tally.

New Zealand announced 185 Kiwis are going to the Games—its largest Olympic team.

"London will be a significant Games for New Zealand," New Zealand Olympic Committee secretary-general Kereyn Smith said.

"We anticipate that with 185 athletes we'll be among the top 20 largest teams at the games."

Click here to see the full team.

At a ceremony with the territory’s CEO, CY Leung, Hong Kong said it is sending 45 athletes to London.

"Hong Kong may be a small player among the 204 recognized National Olympic Committees of the Olympic Family, but we can be giants with tenacity and determination," he exhorted Olympic team to success.

"I have met some of the athletes before the ceremony and they seal my belief in pursuing excellence relentlessly with their impressive spirit and resolve," he added. "Rest assured that the whole community of Hong Kong will be cheering for all of you all the way through the Games."

On July 7, the Polish Olympic Committee said 216 Poles are guaranteed to head to London. Three more athletes could still qualify for the Games, the committee said in a statement on its website.

50 Days to Paralympics

The International Paralympic Committee announced that its website will livestream over 580 hours of live sporting action across five channels during London 2012.

The IPC site - www.paralympic.org - will also make 1,000 hours of video on demand available.

At the 50-day countdown to the Paralympics, the IPC said that these services would be supported by 22 writers producing daily in-depth previews and reviews of all 20 Paralympic sports.

The IPC said six photographers would ensure that every angle of the Paralympics from track side to behind the scenes was covered. A team of social media experts would ensure all content is readily available via www.facebook.com/paralympicgames and www.twitter.com/paralympic.

"We want the excitement and drama that spectators feel in the venues in London to be conveyed all across the world. No matter whether you’re sitting at home or at work www.paralympic.org will be the best place for information and action during the Games," said Craig Spence, the IPC’s media and communications director.

Paralympic GB Athletics Team

Double Paralympic gold medalist David Weir was among the 49 track and field athletes chosen Tuesday by the British Paralympic Association to compete at London 2012.

Twenty-eight will make their Paralympic Games debuts in London.

David Weir, one of Britain's greatest ever Paralympians and gold medalist in the T54 800m and 1500m at Beijing 2008, was selected for his fourth Games.

"Training has been going well and I’m completely focused on success in London," said the three-time world champion who won a record-equaling sixth London Marathon title in the capital in April.

"I definitely felt the pressure going into Beijing four years ago but I’ve grown as an athlete since then and I think I proved that to an extent with my gold medals at the World Championships in New Zealand last January.

"There’s no doubt that the T54 class is one of the most fiercely competitive and exciting to watch in Paralympic sport, but I have realistic expectations and I hope that I can give the crowd something to shout about in one of the Games’ showpiece events."

UKA head coach Peter Eriksson said a lot of changes had been made since Beijing where GB finished 18th overall "and that medal performance has been our benchmark for progress ever since". "I’m confident we can do well and but we can’t underestimate the fact that every other nation will have stepped up their preparation and performance goals in this quickly evolving and fast-improving sport," he added.

ParalympicsGB will be represented by 288 athletes at London 2012, alongside a further 13 team members, including sighted goalkeepers, tandem riders and guide runners.

Flagbearers Named

Croatia and Poland announced their flagbearers for London.

On Monday, the Croatian Olympic Committee said two-time handball gold medalist Venio Losert as the flagbearer.

After coming up short against Serena Williams in the women’s singles final Saturday at Wimbledon, Agnieszka Radwanska was named as Poland’s flagbearer. She will be the first Polish woman to serve in the role at the Summer Olympics. A statement on the Polish Olympic Committee website says she accepted the honor "with joy."

Reported by Mark Bisson and Ed Hula III

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