Around 10,500 athletes from 204 National Olympic Committees (NOCs) are expected to participate
It varies but, 10,568 competed at the London 2012 Summer Olympic Games and about 2,800 athletes are expected to compete at the 2014 Winter Olympics.
No they can not
The Olympic games are about bringing the best athletes from around the world to compete in events. Athletes compete for the chance to win the gold medal.
The United States Olympic Committee sent a total of 539 athletes to the Olympics in London to compete in 25 sports. Only the Host nation had more athletes
About 2,800 athletes are expected to compete at the 2014 Olympics.
The US has 596 athletes competing in the 2008 Summer Olympic Games.
For international fame.
The Australian Olympic Committee sent a total of 410 athletes to the Games to compete in 23 sports
Over 14,000 athletes from 205 Olympic teams and 170 Paralympic teams will be competing at the London 2012 Games.
No they cannot be paid if they compete in the Olympic games, they are amateurs until they are paid professionally, then they can no longer compete in the Olympic games.
Canada planned to send 331 ahtletes to compete in the 2008 olympic games
According to the United States Olympic Committee, the US sent 613 athletes to compete in the 2004 Summer Olympic Games in Athens and 211 athletes to compete in the 2006 Winter Olympic Games in Turin.