Vladimir Putin gave the Russian Olympic team a presidential send-off on Saturday, asking dozens of the country's medal hopes to ensure the national anthem rings out "as often as possible" at the London Games.
Most of Russia's 436-strong team fly out to the British capital later Saturday, with 100 athletes invited to the farewell Kremlin reception in its ornate Alexandrovsky Hall.
"I want to wish you that due to your victories, the flag of the Russian Federation will be raised and the anthem of our country will sound as often as possible at the Olympic stadiums of London," Putin told the athletes.
"Hundreds of thousands of people will be watching you from the stands, and in front of the TV sets all over the planet millions will be watching your performance, along with, and I'm not exaggerating, millions of sports lovers in our country."
Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev is to lead the Russian delegation at Friday's opening ceremony, while Putin is expected to pay a private visit during the judo events.
Putin, 59, is a judo black belt and an honorary president of the International Judo Federation and the European Judo Union.
Russia will be vying for medals in 25 of 39 Olympic disciplines in London.
The Olympics run through August 12.
