The first 50 athletes who will represent Norway at the summer Olympics in Beijing named on Tuesday by The Norwegian Olympic Committee, according to reports reaching from Oslo.

Jarle Aambo, head of the Norwegian Olympic Committee, said a total of up to 85 athletes will travel to Beijing.

"The first batch of athletes is never very controversial." He said the first 50 athletes were the people expected to go to Olympics. "We have hopes of including many more, for swimming, track and field, shooting, sand volleyball and cycling." He added.

Norway has high hopes for its women's soccer squad. It will include 18 football players such as Marit Fiane Christensen, Gunhild B. Folstad etc. In additions, four reserve players will travel to Beijing: Runa Vikestad, Anneli Giske, Kristin Lie and Ingrid Hjelmseth.

Athletes named also included rowing champion Olaf Tufte, cycling stars Thor Hushovd who was a predictable choice for the Olympic troop, and javelin gold medalist Andreas Thorkildsen.

(Xinhua News Agency June 11, 2008)