The IOC is offering Olympics fans closer contact with athletes through social networking during the London Games, AP reported.

The International Olympic Committee has launched a section on its official website for users to "view in real time what the athletes competing at the games are saying on social media sites." The IOC says more than 1,000 Olympians have joined the Athletes' Hub which will stream posts from their Facebook and Twitter accounts.

Hub users can sign up at www.olympic.org/hub to search a directory of athletes by country or sport.

The IOC says athletes will take part in real-time live chats from the Olympic village during the July 27-August 12 games.