Chinese Olympic medal winners honored

A grand ceremony is held to honor Chinese athletes at the London 2012 Olympics at the Great Hall of the people in Beijing, Aug 17, 2012. [Photo/Xinhua]

BEIJING - Twenty-eight Chinese athletes who won gold medals at the London 2012 Olympics have been honored by the Communist Youth League of China (CYLC) and the All-China Women's Federation (ACWF) for their performances at the Games.

On Friday, the CYLC and ACWF released the statements announcing their decision to award "May 4th Youth Medal" to 28 athletes, including table tennis gold medalist Zhang Jike, women's 10m air rifle gold medalist Yi Siling and Ye Shiwen, the 16-year-old swimmer who took two gold medals.

The four teams to win gold -- in men's gymnastics, women's fencing epee as well as men's and women's table tennis -- were honored with the title of "May 4th Youth Medalist Group."

"At the just-concluded London Olympic Games, our country's athletes showcased superior sports skills and tough spirits and achieved world-acclaimed excellent results. They won honors for our country and the people, and greatly stimulated Chinese people's patriotic passion and hardworking spirit," said the statement.

In addition, the ACWF also decided to honor 14 female athletes, including Yi and Ye, with "National March 8 Red-flag Bearer" awards given to model women.

The women's fencing epee team and table tennis team received group awards from the ACWF.

The Chinese mainland took 38 gold medals, 27 silver medals and 23 bronze medals at the London 2012 Olympic Games -- a medal count second only to the United States.