Team GB 100m sprinter James Dasaolu, whose parents live in Norwich.

Our local Olympians have been keeping their fans involved with their London 2012 preparations through micro-blogging website Twitter.

Barbara Parker training ahead of the Olympics at the Sportspark, Norwich. Photo: Steve Adams

London 2012 has been dubbed the first social media games, due to the huge expansion of websites such as Twitter and Facebook - with over 2,000 Olympic athletes said to now have a Twitter account.

James Dasaolu, whose parents are from Norwich and run Steve McDonald News in Witard Road, is preparing for the opening heats of the 100m sprint on Saturday morning.

This morning he tweeted: “Last session in Portugal before i compete in #LondonOlympics2012 I better make it a good one.”

City of Norwich Athletic Club distance runner Barbara Parker has had her say about Olympic arenas not having full crowds, saying: “Athletes will be seriously disappointed if family & friends couldn’t get tickets and see all those empty seats #getitsorted”

North Lopham's Colin Oates takes in the atmosphere on his London Olympics bow. Photo: Nick Butcher.

While Lowestoft boxer Anthony Ogogo has been busy tweeting about his joy at the news his sister has given birth, as well as when he met famous basketball stars Kobe Bryant, of Team USA and LA Lakers, and Team GB’s Luol Deng.

After beating Dominican Republic’s Junior Castillo Martinez on Saturday, Ogogo is now preparing to face number one seed Ievgen Khytrov in the last-16 on Thursday.

He said: “One down 4 to go... I’m absolutely buzzing. That roar of the British crowd was something in fairytales and dreams. #Epic Thank you Britain.

“Biggest fight of my life next against the reigning World Champion. Time to spoil the party. #TotalBelief love you Mum. Be back soon!! X”

Fencer Anna Bentley, a former Norwich High School for Girls pupil, lost to Canada’s Monica Peterson in the first round of the women’s individual foil on Saturday morning.

She has been busy tweeting photos of her experiences so far before “going dark” again ahead of her return to action in the women’s team event.

She said: “Thanks to *everyone* 4the support 2day - it was amazing. Sorry I cudn’t give u the win. Ice bath now as punishment...team competition Thursday.”

While North Lopham judoka Colin Oates saw his Olympic dream end in defeat. The 29-year-old 2011 European bronze medallist lost to eventual gold medallist Lasha Shavdatuashvili of Georgia in his quarter-final, having won his opening two clashes in style to build a rapport with the Excel Arena crowd.

Oates then lost to eventual bronze medallist Jun-Ho Cho in his repechage but was still really happy with his day’s work, writing: “Thanks for the amazing support today inside the Excel Arena! Tried my best to produce a medal for everyone but it was a few steps far for me!

“The adrenaline rush from the stadium made it a day I’ll never forget and will live long in my memory. Thanks to all #London2012 #7th”

- Norfolk’s Olympians on Twitter -

Anna Bentley - fencing - @AnnaBentleyGBR

Nick Dempsey - windsurfing - @nickdempsey1

James Dasaolu - 100m - @JamesDasaolu

Colin Oates - judo - @Kumo49

Barbara Parker - athletics - @BarbaraParker3

Anthony Ogogo - boxing - @AnthonyOgogo

(Cyclist Emma Pooley does not have a Twitter account at present)

- For full information about Norfolk’s Olympians, see the links at the top-right of this page.