Perennial sports power Russia marched into the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics here on Friday, with basketball star Andrei Kirilenko holding the flag.

Russia sent its biggest-ever delegation to compete in all sports except soccer, softball, baseball, hockey and taekwondo.

The 1980 summer Olympic Games was held in Moscow, capital of Russia and capital of former Soviet Union at that time.

The Atlanta Games witnessed Russia to sweep 26 golds and a second overall place. In 2000, Russia won 32 gold medals, only five less than the United States. In Athens, China edged Russia to take the second place. But Russia still brought home 27 golds, 27 silvers and 38 bronzes.

Vladimir Vasin, vice president of the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC), said in a recent interview: "Our goal in Beijing Games is to remain among the top three in the medals table."

Leonid Tyagachev, head of the ROC, told Xinhua that Russia's goal was at least 80 medals including about 30 golds.

"It may be difficult for us to surpass the United States and China. But I believe our athletes will perform very well at Beijing and improve the result they achieved four years ago at Athens," said a confident Tyagachev.

Tyagachev's confidence does not come from nowhere. Their medal plan can cover nearly all the sports.

Owning the most star-studded squad in the world, Russia is the top favorite to win the women's singles in the tennis court.

Yelena Isinbayeva in pole vault, Olga Kaniskina in 20km walk, Yekaterina Volkova in 3,000m steeplechase, Anna Chicherova in high jump, and Yuliya Pechenkina in 400m hurdles will all be gold medal prospects in Beijing.

Russia also takes a leading position in synchronized swimming and rhythmic gymnastics pocketing both team and individual golds of the two sports in Athens.

Moreover, sports like handball, volleyball, basketball, shooting, wrestling, weightlifting, boxing and open water swimming will all be medal mines for Russia.

(Xinhua News Agency August 8, 2008)