It's not clear exactly how many Muslim athletes are competing in the Olympics this year, but more than one in five people around the world - about 23% - is Muslim, according to estimates by the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life. Religious experts in Saudi Arabia determine the starting date of Ramadan each year based on the phase of the moon. Muslim athletes face a particular challenge because there are so many hours of daylight in London during the Games, says sports nutritionist Hala Barghout. "It's a 17-hour fast in London. It's not like here in the Middle East," said Barghout, from the United Arab Emirates.
Mwandishi wa BBC Odiambo Joseph akiwa Turkana anasema ametembelea kijiji ambacho mamia ya watu wengi wao wakiwa wazee na dhaifu walikuwa kwenye mstri mrefu wa kugawiwa chakula. Watu 14 waliokufa nchini Kenya walikuwa watu wazima, lakini watoto pia wana utapiamlo mkali, mwandishi wa BBC anasema.