Chinese athlete Liu Xiang (L), divers Guo Jingjing (C) and Tian Liang wave to fans with upon their arrival at the Hong Kong airport September 6, 2004. (Reuters)

Some 50 mainland Olympic gold medallists arrived in Hong Kong on Monday to applause from cheering crowds, beginning a three-day visit to provide adoring fans a chance to see the athletes up close.

Leading a 68-strong delegation, State General Administration of Sports Minister Yuan Weimin said the group came to Hong Kong to share with the Hong Kong people the "pride and honour" the country's top athletes had achieved at the Athens Games.

The visit was also an expression of thanks to local citizens for their long-standing support to China's sports sector, Yuan said.

The medallists touched down at the airport shortly before noon. They were greeted there by Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa, Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government Gao Siren, Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Hong Kong Yang Wenchang and other officials.

Hong Kong fans had all made a special effort to wait patiently at the airport.

The welcoming ceremony was followed by a reception attended by about 500 people at the Government House and a banquet hosted by the Hong Kong Olympic Committee Monday night.

At a news conference attended by Yuan, other officials and athletes in the afternoon, Yuan noted Hong Kong's desire to become a venue for some Olympic events in 2008.

He said it was a good idea and understandable.

"But it cannot be decided by the Beijing Olympic Committee alone," he said.

He said they would have to co-ordinate the suggestion with international sports bodies to receive permission, and called the matter a complicated process.

The athletes will attend a series of public events on Tuesday and Wednesday.

(Agencies)

applause : praise; commendation（欢呼）