Invitations to take part in the Olympic games are normally sent out by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to all National Olympic Committees (NOCs) around one year before the opening ceremony of the games.
Invitations to take part in the Paralympic games are normally sent out by the Organising Committee in co-operation with the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) around one year before the respective Paralympic games.
Based on participation in recent Olympic games and Paralympic games, we expect over 200 National Olympic Committees and about 150 National Paralympic Committees to take part in 2012.