SYDNEY, Aug. 15 (Xinhua) -- Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard has greeted Australia's Olympians at Sydney airport, saying they should be proud of their performance at the London Games, local media reported Wednesday.

About 500 people gathered at Sydney Airport to welcome the country's returning Olympians who arrived in Sydney at about 7 a. m. local time Wednesday, the Australian Associated Press (AAP) reported.

"For those who have been quick to rush out with criticism, London 2012 has been a remarkable result by any measure," she told a huge crowd gathered at Sydney Airport for the official welcome home reception.

"Our nation is still in the top 10, still fighting, still striving."

Australia won a total of 35 medals at the London Games, including seven gold, 16 silver and 12 bronze, sitting 10th on the medal tally.

It's the country's lowest number of gold medals at an Olympics since the Barcelona Games in 1992.