President Xi Jinping on Thursday met China's Olympic delegation, who returned recently from the just ended Rio Olympics after finishing third in the medal tally behind the United States and the United Kingdom.

Xi hailed the performance of Chinese athletes at the Rio Olympics Games, saying their performance sparked a patriotic fervor among Chinese citizens, China Daily reported.  

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"Thank you all for carrying forward the spirit of patriotism and national cohesion," President Xi told the athletes.

The Chinese leader showered rich praises on China's volleyball team, who won the Olympic gold medal in Rio Olympics after 12 long years. Xi said that their spirit of "fighting and endurance" had motivated the entire country to be dedicated to its work.

"Chinese women's volleyball spirit" has "always been there" and has inspired the players, no matter whether the team wins or loses, captain of the Chinese women's volleyball team, Hui Ruoqi, told China Daily after meeting the president.     

China's medal haul at the Rio Olympics was its lowest since the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. China especially witnessed a significant dip in its gold medal tally, winning just 26 gold medals as compared to 38 Gold medals ar the London Olympics and 51 gold medals at the Beijing Olympics.      

President Xi tried to pacify Chinese athletes by saying that "face victory or defeat with a calm mind." He later said that the efforts of those athletes who failed to win the medal must be equally recognized and respected.

The president also promised that the Chinese government would make efforts to conduct public fitness activities and promote the complete development of both recreational and competitive sports.

TagsXi Jinping, Rio Olympics, china, China Rio Olympics