The ruling Communist Party of China on Sunday lavished praise on the country's athletes for scripting history with a record breaking medal haul at the Beijing Olympics, toppling the US to emerge numero uno on the gold medal count for the first time.
"The motherland and people feel proud of you," the party and the cabinet said in a statement after Chinese athletes scored the best-ever result at the Olympic Games with 51 gold, 21 silver and 28 bronze medals.
"We extend warm congratulations and heartfelt compliments to you, who have won immense glory for your country and people," read a congratulatory message sent by the Central Committee of the CPC and the State Council, China's cabinet.
By scoring the best ever results at the Olympic Games, the Chinese sports delegation has "achieved a major historic breakthrough, written a new chapter of China's sports development and made significant contributions to the hosting of a high-standard and unique Olympic Games in Beijing," the message noted.
"We hope you will earnestly sum up your experience and refrain from complacency, and make persistent efforts to win even greater honour for the motherland and people. We hope to see you make new contributions to China's sports development and the promotion of the Olympic spirit and the International Olympic Movement," it concluded.
{{/usCountry}}"We hope you will earnestly sum up your experience and refrain from complacency, and make persistent efforts to win even greater honour for the motherland and people. We hope to see you make new contributions to China's sports development and the promotion of the Olympic spirit and the International Olympic Movement," it concluded.
{{/usCountry}}The Chinese athletes won 32 golds, 17 silvers and 14 bronzes at the previous Olympic Games in Athens 2004, trailing only behind the United States on the gold tally.
Chinese President and CPC General Secretary Hu Jintao and other top party leaders are expected to meet the victorious Chinese athletes soon and honour them for their impressive performance on home turf.