The Belgian Olympic delegation marched into the Bird's Nest National Stadium at the Olympic opening ceremony on Friday night, watched by Belgium's Crown Prince Philippe and IOC chief Jacques Rogge.

The Belgian team is headed by Philippe Rogge, whose father Jacques has led the International Olympic Committee (IOC) since 2001.

Belgium sent a 94-athlete team to Beijing, its biggest delegation in 30 years.

Chef de mission Philippe said on Wednesday Belgium wants half of its athletes to join the top eight.

"Belgium isn't a big country in the area of sports," he said. "In Athens, we only got three medals. So this time, we don't have any plan for medals, but we want half of our athletes to enter the top eight."

Belgium is expected to win medals in sailing, judo, cycling and

athletics.

Belgium peaked when it hosted the 1920 Olympics, sweeping 36 medals including 14 golds.

In the Athens Games in 2004, beligum managed one gold and two bronzes in the medal tally.

(Xinhua News Agency August 8, 2008)