"These Games will be very hard. Problems with doping, refereeing, place for competitions, the weather are possible", Tyagachev said. "But I think the goal set by the presidents of the Russian sport associations - the first place -- can be met".
"Of course, the Americans and the Chinese are very strong. The Germans have greatly improved", Tyagachev admitted. "It is certainly hard to say how many medals we'll win. In its time, the central committee of the Communist Party did make milk, meat and medals plans".
A place among the first three, where the difference is only two or three medals, would be fine for Russia, Tyagachev said.
The Olympic calendar is such that competitions in the sports where Russia has been traditionally strong will not be held during the first week of the Games, he noted. "We have to explain to our fans that our main medals will be won during the final week and they should not be disappointed at the beginning that Russia is not among the leaders", Tyagachev said.
The chairman of the Russian Olympic Committee is now in Athens with a two-day working visit. He will check readiness for the upcoming Olympics and meet with executives of the Athens'2004 organising committee.
