President Hu Jintao congratulated the returned Chinese Olympic delegation on the athletes' outstanding performance at the Athens Games during a meeting with them on Thursday at the Great Hall of the People.

Hu said the indomitable spirit and ethics the China's athletes demonstrated during the 17-day games "greatly enhanced Chinese people's self-confidence and sense of pride, and have become a strong spiritual force to push forward our cause."

He also called on the athletes to remain clear-headed and be aware of their shortcomings at the time of the historic victory.

He encouraged them to strive for good performance at the Beijing Olympic Games in 2008 and make a greater contribution to China's endeavor to comprehensively build a relatively affluent society, and to the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

Hu also urged the Beijing Olympics Organizing Committee and related organizations to learn from the successful experience in Athens and to make the Beijing Games an excellent event through good preparation.

Wu Bangguo, chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee; Premier Wen Jiabao; and Vice President Zeng Qinghong were also present at the meeting.

After the meeting, a celebratory reception was held.

China won 32 gold medals, 17 silver and 14 bronze at Athens, the country's highest-ever Olympic gold medal tally.

(Xinhua News Agency September 3, 2004)