Full coverage: 2016 Rio Olympics

Chinese Vice Premier Liu Yandong has visited Chinese athletes at the Sao Paulo training camp and the Athletes Village. Liu expressed sincere greetings and best wishes to the athletes, and called on them to spread the Olympic spirit of unity, friendship and progress at the event.

Chinese vice premier Liu Yandong(2nd R), Chinese president Xi Jinping's special envoy, hugs members of Chinese gymnastics team during her visit to Chinese Olympic delegation in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on Aug. 4, 2016. Liu Yandong visited Chinese Olympic delegation here on Thursday.

Liu is President Xi Jinping's special envoy and will attend the opening ceremony later today.  China has sent a squad of 416 athletes.  It's the country's biggest ever representation for an overseas Olympics. And 302 of them are making their Olympic debut.