MACAO -- Although being delayed for half an hour, the arrival of China's Olympic gold medalists here Sunday night still drew loud cheers from Macao people and tourists.

The delegation led by China's sports chief Liu Peng finished their Hong Kong visit and came to Macao by sea this evening. They were greeted at the Outer Harbor by Chui Sai On, secretary for social affairs and culture of the Special Administrative Region ( SAR), and other officials.  

Since this is a rare chance that almost all of China's gold medalists came to Macao for visit, the SAR government arranged 450 local middle-school teenagers, each waving flags of the SAR and the nation, to line up in the departure hall of the Outer Harbor welcoming the visiting delegation.

Many local citizens and tourists, who were desperate to see the medalists, came to the Harbor more than one hour earlier than the arrival of the delegation. They said it was worth the long waiting, given the medalists' great attraction to them.

Ms. Lin, a tourist who came from China's Zhejiang province, considered herself "a lucky one". She said, "I originally came here for traveling, but as soon as I heard they (the medalists) were coming, I shorten my sightseeing and rushed here to wait for them."

The delegation, including 63 gold medalists from the Beijing Olympic Games, will meet with the SAR's Chief Executive Ho Hau Wah later today. They will also attend a series of activities in the city, including a gala show to be held Monday night, and will take a short tour of the city that is known to the world for its casinos.

The delegation will finish their visit here and leave for the mainland Tuesday.