The first group of the Chinese Olympic delegation arrived in Athens Sunday afternoon for the Athens Games which runs from August 13 to 29.

Led by Chinese Olympic chief and chef-de-mission Yuan Weimin, the 274-member group arrived at the International Airport on a chartered Air China flight.

In the group are 33 shooters, eight archers, 20 table tennis players, 20 divers, 52 swimmers, 13 weightlifters, 27 fencers, 20 softball players, 20 women's handball players as well as athletes for field hockey, boxing, judo, wrestling, cycling, tennis and beach volleyball.

Yuan told Xinhua at the airport that the Chinese competitors were ready to give their best.

Also aboard were officials and staff from the Beijing Olympic Organizing Committee besides 274 athletes and coaches.

"Of course they still need some time to adapt to local circumstances, but they are all in high spirit," Yuan said.

Other Chinese Olympians are scheduled to get to Athens separately.

Teams of women's soccer, gymnastics, rowing and women's field hockey had earlier arrived in Athens.

The 637-member Chinese delegation, including 407 athletes, is the country's largest ever for the world's top sporting event. They will compete in 26 sports out of 28.

Among the Chinese Olympians, 84 had competed in three previous Games while 323 are to make their Olympic debut.

China came third in both the gold and medal standings in the Sydney Olympic Games four years ago, the best ever Olympic finish for the country.

The Chinese delegation is looking forward to finishing third overall after the United States and Russia in Athens. Germany is the major obstacle in China's run for the third place.

China has announced cash awards for Olympic medal winners. Cash bonus of 200,000 yuan (US$24,000) is promised for gold medallist, 120,000 yuan (US$14,500) to silver medallist and 80,000 yuan (US$9,600) to bronze medallist.

(Xinhua News Agency August 9, 2004)