"These results are the product of the concern of the (communist) party and government and of the strong support of society," said Feng Kun, captain of the gold medal-winning women's volleyball team, speaking on the athletes' behalf.

"They do not just belong to the individual athletes who won the medals, but also to the motherland and the people."

As the athletes, dressed in formal blazers and carrying flowers, worked their way from their plane at Beijing airport to the terminal, many were mobbed by reporters and well-wishers asking for autographs.

The plane was greeted by dozens of dancers in red and yellow costumes, a traditional drum and cymbal troupe, a military brass band and some 100 family and friends waving welcome banners and mini Chinese flags.

Politburo Standing Committee member Li Changchun welcomed each of the 245 athletes as they stepped back onto Chinese soil.

Other members of China's 407-strong team had already returned.

China claimed 32 gold medals in Athens, four more than its previous best in Sydney four years ago.

Its total medal tally amounted to 63, with 17 silver and 14 bronze, also four more than its record in Sydney.

He said the focus was now on the Chinese capital and he pledged that the 2008 host would not let the world down.

He called on every Beijinger to take their responsibility seriously.

China has invested heavily in the 2008 Olympics and will build 18 new stadiums and revamp the city's infrastructure.

Yet despite an Olympic campaign that surpassed the wildest pre-Athens expectations of 20 golds, Chinese officials are adamant that there is plenty of room for improvement between now and the 2008 Games.

And Chinese officials insist they will now concentrate on winning more golds in the blue riband events of the Olympics such as athletics rather than their overall position on the final medal table in four years time.

China hope that their two gold medals in athletics won by Liu Xiang and Xing Huina in the 10,000m will inspire a new generation of track stars.

Yuan said China could recruit more foreign coaches as it attempted to close the gap on the sporting superpowers.

China has already dabbled with hiring foreigners in sports such as basketball and football and five-time Olympic gold medallist Michael Johnson has already been to China to conduct coaching clinics.

The trend is set to continue, Yuan said.