Special report: 2008 Olympic Games     

    TIRANA, July 24 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese embassy in Tirana hosted a dinner party Thursday evening for the Albanian team who will take part in the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

    Chinese ambassador to Albania Wang Junling said China has carried out thorough preparations in order to achieve a unique, high-level Games. Wang gave his best wishes to the Albanian team, hoping they would make a good performance at the Games.

    Hysen Domi, president of the Albanian Olympic Committee, said he greatly appreciates China's efforts in preparing for the Games and firmly believes it will be a great success.

    Domi expressed his thanks to China for setting up a platform for the sportsmen and women across the world to realize their Olympic dreams.

    Albania is to send 27 people to the Beijing Olympic Summer Games, the biggest ever delegation in Albania's Olympic history.

    Albanian Prime Minister Sali Berisha and the country's Sports Minister Ylli Pango will attend the opening ceremony of the Games on August 8 in Beijing.

    Among the team are 11 athletes and nine coaches. They will compete in six sports of swimming, track and field, weightlifting, wrestling, shooting and judo.

    The first batch of the delegation will leave for China on July 27. They will adjust to the time lag and get themselves familiarized with the sports venues.

    Albania first took part in the Olympic Games in 1972 in Munich in Germany. After that it backed out and rejoined the Olympic family in the Barcelona Games in Spain in 1992.