The Brazilian delegation raised its national flag at the Olympic village on Monday, four days before the official opening of the Games.

Chen Jian, village head on duty, presented a welcoming speech at the ceremony. The 92-year-old Brazilian Joao Havelange, former president of Federation of International Football Association (FIFA), was also present as a guest.

After the flag raising ceremony, Chen and Marcus Vinicius Freire, Brazilian delegation chief, exchanged their souvenirs.

The Brazilian delegation arrived in Beijing on July 23rd. Freire thought highly of the Olympic village, and appreciated the wonderful work Beijing had done in the last seven years.

Brazil sends a 469-member delegation, its largest ever, including 277 athletes to participate in 31 sport for the Aug. 8-24 Games.

The country sent 247 athletes to the 2004 Athens Olympics and finished 18th with five golds, two silvers and three bronzes, their best-ever achievement at Olympics.

(Xinhua News Agency August 4, 2008)