[ssparikshya]

LONDON: Facebook has launched an official London Olympics page for fans to connect with their favorite athletes and teams.

The online social network's " Discover London 2012" page is a portal that connects users with the profile pages of hundreds of athletes, national teams, and official organizing bodies.

Fans can support and interact with swimmer Michael Phelps, basketball stars LeBron James and Kobe Bryant, and about 200 athletes already on the site. More will be added, Facebook says.

The company said today the London Olympics, which run from July 27 to August 12, will be the "first truly social Games" because so many can get involved online.

But a spokesman admitted that it would be impossible to get all countries up on the site. Team China, for example, is missing because Facebook is banned there.

TOI