A competitive shooter has become the first Qatari woman to participate in an Olympic event while an Albanian weightlifter earned the distinction of being the first athlete ejected from the 2012 games for doping.

Qatar's Bahai al-Hamad broke her country's gender barrier on Saturday by taking part in the qualifying round of the 10-meter air rifle event.

Meanwhile, Olympic officials disqualified Albania's Hysen Pulaku after he tested positive for a banned steroid.

The summer Games in London began awarding medals Saturday following Friday's spectacular opening ceremony viewed by more than one billion people worldwide.

China earned the first gold medal of the Games when Yi Siling won the women's 10 meter air rifle competition.

Earlier Saturday, police cleared part of central London's Hyde Park after a suspicious package was found near a display sponsored by the Russian government. They later reopened the site, saying the situation had been resolved and there were no safety concerns.

Also Saturday, police said they arrested more than 130 cyclists who took part in a protest near the Olympic Stadium during Friday's opening ceremony.

Authorities said the protesters ignored warnings not to enter the Olympic route.

The 17-day competition in 26 sports runs through August 12.