PARIS, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) -- French President Nicolas Sarkozy on Sunday expressed his congratulations to French and the European Union (EU) athletes on their "great success" at the Beijing Olympics.

    Sarkozy said in a statement that French athletes have won 40 medals, including seven gold, 16 silver and 17 bronze medals, exceeding the performance at the Sydney Olympic Games.

    He said the achievement belonged to all the athletes with passion and determination, adding that "they have spared no effort in the Games and achieved their goals."

    "During the Olympics, they made us excited and brought us many joys. In the past weeks, the whole France has cheered on the players and those athletes are our pride," Sarkozy said.

    Meanwhile, Sarkozy, whose country holds the rotating presidency of the EU, also congratulated all the EU countries on their fine performance.

    He said considering the EU countries as a whole, they have a total of 280 medals, including 87 gold, 101 silver and 92 bronze medals.

    It is a victory for all people of the EU, Sarkozy said.