"Today, we have gathered here to honour and award our sportsmen, who have taken part and achieved good results in the recent Beijing Summer Olympic Games," the president said.

"I am pleased to once again congratulate all sportsmen of Uzbekistan, who have achieved great results in the Beijing Olympics," President Islam Karimov added.

The president also said that victories of the Uzbek sportsmen at the Olympic Games would promote sports the country.

"I am convinced that everything being done in Uzbekistan is aimed at developing sports, and above all, children’s sports, which is a guarantee of new victories of the Uzbek sports," the Uzbek head of state concluded.

President Karimov called athletes and their coaches to study Chinese experience on preparation of athletes at the meetin with Uzbekistan’s national Olympic team at the Oqsaroy presidential residence on 10 September.

President Islam Karimov said: "On example of Beijing Olympic Games, we should deeply and comprehensively study Chinese experience on preparation of athletes, as well as use latest achievements of science."

Uzbek leader also underlined importance of attraction of resources and opportunities of state bodies, public organizations and sponsors. He added that attraction of population to sport is an important issue.

Islam Karimov recalled he signed special resolution, which creates governmental commission to analyze the results of Beijing Olympic Games and organization and improvement of training of athletes to 2012 London Olympic Games.

Fifty-eight athletes represented Uzbekistan in 2008 Beijing Olympic Games in fifteen sports. The country won a gold, two silver and three bronze medals.