Brown hails 'brilliant' Olympians

Swimmer Rebecca Adlington was among those at the reception

The prime minister has praised the success of Britain's Olympic athletes, saying nothing in recent years had given the country "so much pride".

Gordon Brown hosted a reception for 250 athletes and support staff at Lancaster House in central London.

He said they had "done brilliantly by our country" and vowed to "invest" in them ahead of the 2012 Games in London.

Double-gold medallist Rebecca Adlington said the team had received "tremendous" support from the British public.

Team GB returned from Beijing with their best medal haul in 100 years, finishing fourth in the medal table with 19 gold, 13 silver and 15 bronze medals.

2012 beckons and we believe that we can have the most successful Olympics ever Prime Minister Gordon Brown In pictures: Olympic reception

Mr Brown and his wife Sarah were joined on Friday by swimmer Adlington and other medallists including gold-medallist boxer James De Gale, 400m champion Christine Ohuruogu and three-time Olympic champion sailor Ben Ainslie.

Mr Brown told them: "When you were in the bubble of the Olympics in Beijing, millions and millions of people were not only watching you, but hundreds of thousands of children were encouraged.

"They were encouraged that they wanted to play sport and they wanted to train and they saw themselves as your future competitors for the next Olympics.

Rower Tom James and sailor Ben Ainslie were also invited

"You have done brilliantly by our country and there is no event in recent years that has given this country so much pride as your performance in the Olympics."

Mr Brown also thanked the team coaches, medics and other support staff who had helped to make the Games such a success.

He said: "2012 beckons and we believe that we can have the most successful Olympics ever.

"We will do everything we can by investing in your sports so that you can do the best that you can."

Adlington said: "It is great to be here and the support from everyone, including the public, has been tremendous."

Lord Moynihan, chairman of the British Olympic Association, said it had been a fantastic evening for the athletes.

"The results of Team GB have lifted this country," he said.