Britain's triumphant Olympic team will return home after the Beijing Games to a heroes' reception, Gordon Brown promised.
In an interview with China Central TV, the Prime Minister said that the team's performance had captured the imagination of the whole country.
"Millions are watching on television in Britain and the enthusiasm and joy of the Olympic events is rising every day so that when the team returns on Monday they will have tremendous reception and ovation from the whole of the British people," he said.
"We are proud of what we have achieved but we are also proud of the way that we have achieved it.
"They are sporting, they are playing as part of a team - a very strong team with a great team spirit - and, of course, they are becoming better over time."
Mr Brown, who is in Beijing for the final days of the Games, praised the "meticulous" planning of the Chinese authorities as well as the success of the Chinese team in topping the medal table.
"It has been superbly organised," he said.
The Prime Minister also promised a touch of the unexpected in the British section of the final closing ceremony to mark the handover to London for the 2012 Games.
"I think there will be some surprises and I hope you will enjoy it," he said.
