Chinese Olympic delegation returns

The Chinese Olympic delegation returned to the national capital Tuesday. It was greeted at the airport by a red carpet and hundreds of well-wishers from different circles headed by Li Changchun, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee.

The special passenger aircraft carrying the 245 athletes, coaches and officials of the Chinese Olympic delegation touched the ground at the Capital International Airport At 10:35 a.m.. The plane also contained a government delegation from Beijing, host of the 2008 games, led by Mayor Wang Qishan.

Li Changchun shook had cordial handshakes with each member of the delegation, called their names one by one, congratulated them on their achievements and expressed a warm welcome on their homecoming.

"You have won reputation for the motherland," Li told Yuan Weimin, head of the delegation, "The people of the motherland are grateful to you; the people of the motherland are proud of you; and the people of the motherland welcome you back triumphantly."

Yuan is the director general of the State General Administration of Sports and chairman of the Chinese Olympic Committee.

State Councilor Chen Zhili attended the welcoming ceremony.

Prior to the arrival of the delegation, Li Zhijian, secretary of the Party Group of the State General Administration of Sports, delivered a report to Li on the Chinese delegation.

According to the final medal table of the Athens Olympic Games, China pocketed 32 gold medals, 17 silver medals and 14 bronze medals.