Bulgaria aims at 2 golds at London Olympics

SOFIA - Bulgaria wants to win at least two gold medals at the London Olympics, Belcho Goranov, secretary general of the country's Olympic Committee, said in a recent interview with Xinhua.

"We would like to have in London more medals than those won in Beijing," Goranov said.

In Beijing in 2008, the Balkan country managed to win only one gold, one silver and three bronze medals, compared to 51 gold, 84 silver and 77 bronze medals earned at all Olympic Games so far.

So far, 59 athletes from 15 sports have qualified for the Olympics. Goranov expects a few more archers and track and field athletes to be able to join this group.

He refused to mention the names of athletes, but he said in what sports Bulgaria is expected to win medals despite the "fierce competition."

"Our expectations are related to the traditional sports - wrestling, rhythmic gymnastics and boxing," Goranov said.

One of the two Bulgarian weightlifters in London could also reach the medals, and the track and field athletes can present a pleasant surprise, he said.

The first group of Bulgarian athletes will fly to London on 17 July. It will include 20 to 25 athletes from sports such as gymnastics, shooting and athletics, Goranov said.