ALGIERS, July 20 (Xinhua) -- The first contingent of Algerian athletes for the Olympic Games (July 27-August 12) left here for London on Friday, the local APS news agency reported.

Three athletes departed from the International Airport of Houari Boumedien in Algiers, while female fencer Moutoussami Melissa Lea should have reached London directly from Paris where she lives, the source noted.

The Algerian athletes of the first contingent represent three disciplines, including fencing, rowing and cycling.

Two other contingents are due to join London on July 24 and July 31 respectively, while the last group will be there on Aug. 6.

As many as 39 Algerian athletes will contest in 12 disciplines, including twelve volley ball female players, who have been selected to partake in the Olympic Games of London, comparing to 61 athletes in Beijing Games in 2008.

A sport official explained such a drop in the number of selected athletes by "restricted technical criteria" set by different federations.

In a bid to encourage the athletes, a pre-departure ceremony was held Thursday evening in Algiers, by the Algerian Olympic Committee (COA). The ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Ahmed Ouyahia, government officials, and the British Ambassador to Algeria Martyn Keith Roper.