BRASILIA, Brazil _ Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva greeted athletes of Brazil's largest Olympic contingent at a send-off ceremony for the Beijing Games on Friday, saying the nation is capable of becoming an Olympic contender in the near future.

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (C) poses for photographers with athletes, who will represent Brazil in the Olympic Games in Beijing, before their farewell ceremony at the Planalto Palace in Brasilia July 4, 2008. [Agencies]

"Brazil's participation has been increasing year after year in all aspects" Silva said. "And that means that we are not far from the day in which Brazil will become an Olympic power."

Brazil has 272 athletes qualified for the Beijing Olympics _ the most ever for the country.

"You may rest assured that the government will keep doing what it can to help Brazil become a great Olympic nation," said Silva, who will be in Beijing for the opening ceremony on August 8.

Brazil had 247 athletes in Athens in 2004, which also was a record. The country won five gold medals then, finishing 16th in the medal table. The country's previous best performance had been in Atlanta in 1996, with three gold medals.

"I want you to win all the medals possible," Silva told the athletes. "But you also need to know that I will not think any less of those who cannot win a medal."