Egyptian Prime Minister Ahmed Nazef on Wednesday expressed hopes that Egyptian athletes could carve out a success in the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, the official MENA news agency reported.

 

Addressing at a ceremony held Wednesday in Cairo in honor of Egypt's medalists in the All Africa Games that took place July in Algeria, Nazef said "they are our hope for the future."

 

Nazef praised "our heroes who brought smiles to Egyptians' faces," noting that Egyptian youths can cope with challenges and make achievements.

 

On behalf of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, Nazef congratulated the Egyptian medalists, hoping athletes of his country would be successful in the Arab Games in Egypt in November and the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.

 

Egypt topped the medal table at the ninth All Africa Games in Algeria with 74 golds and 199 overall, the first time since 1991 when Egypt hosted the fifth edition of the four-yearly games in Cairo.

 

At the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Egypt won five medals including one gold.

 

(Xinhua News Agency September 27, 2007)