Russia's President has given the country's Olympic delegation a state send-off at the Kremlin. Dmitry Medvedev offered athletes his best wishes for success in Beijing. The team members are hoping to better their achievements in Athens four years ago.
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Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, center, is seen meeting the Russian Olympic team in the Moscow Kremlin, Tuesday, July 29, 2008. |
Russia's Olympic delegation laid a wreath during Tuesday's ceremony at the "Tomb of the Unknown Soldier".
The delegation consists of 467 athletes and 376 officials. Sporting the red-and-blue blazers that they will wear at the opening ceremony for Beijing Olympics on August 8th, they will participate in the Games with a great deal of optimism.
President Medvedev sent the team on their way inside the ornate halls of the Kremlin and cheered on the athletes.
Medvedev said, "Go Russia! I wish you all the best and success to you and to us all."
The president was then presented with a replica basketball shirt by one of the country's sporting heroes, Andrei Kirilenko.
The basketball forward will carry the national flag during the opening ceremony in Beijing.
Following the ceremony, the Russian athletes walked around Red Square, posing for photos with the Russian Olympic mascot "Cheburashka".
It's a character from Russian literature that also represented the team at the Athens Olympics in 2004.
In Greece, Russia grabbed 92 medals, 27 of them gold. This time in Beijing, they're hoping to do even better.
(CCTV July 30, 2008)
