(I) The London Games were a barrier breaker for female
athletes. (II) London distinguished itself as the first
Olympics in which all countries sent teams of both
genders. (III) Of course, there were breathtaking events
during the Games, but the failure of the well-known
American female swimmers was a bit of a fiasco.
(IV) Even countries such as Qatar, Brunei and Saudi
Arabia, which have long abstained from sending female
athletes, competed in sports from swimming to judo.
(V) At the opening ceremony, the International Olympic
Committee president noted that “For the first time in
Olympic history, all the participating teams will have
female athletes.”