MOSCOW. Jan. 18 (Xinhua) -- Russia could win 38 to 40 gold medals and place third at the Olympic Games in Beijing, head of the Russian sports bureau Vyacheslav Fetisov said on Friday.

"Analysis to the situation in the sport area, trends and prospects for the development of the Olympic movement show that Russia, the United States and China will compete for the top places at the 2008 Games," Fetisov was quoted by the Interfax newsagency as saying.

"Russia plans to come third," he told a meeting of Russia's preparation committee for the Beijing Olympics.

Over 400 Russian athletes are expected to take part in the Beijing Olympics.

"The Russian team won 240 licenses of taking qualification in 23 sports. Some 314 athletes have already qualified," Fetisov said.