ALGIERS, July 27 (Xinhua) -- The Algerian Olympic Committee on Wednesday overnight sent 64 athletes to compete in 13 sports in the Rio Games from Aug. 5 to 21.

Earlier on the day, Prime Minister Abdelmalek Sellal met with the Algerian delegation in Algiers, as he conveyed them encouragement of President Abdelaziz Bouteflika.

Minister of Sport and Youth, EL Hadi Ould Ali, and President of the Algerian Olympics Committee, Mustapha Berraf, attended the ceremony.

Algeria expects to grab 4-5 medals in Rio. The North African nation won one gold medal in London Games (2012) thanks to 1,500m champion, Taoufik Makhloufi.