BEIJING: Chinese President Hu Jintao has visited the country''s Olympic athletes, urging them to stay cool as the pressure builds ahead of next month''s Beijing Games, state media reported Thursday.

With 16 days to go until the opening ceremony, Hu met basketball star Yao Ming, China''s gymnasts and a host of other athletes at training grounds in south Beijing on Wednesday, the state-run People''s Daily reported.

"I hope you train hard, train scientifically, improve your competitive skills, keep a cool state of mind, and achieve outstanding results at the Games," Hu told the gymnasts.

Accompanied by Vice President Xi Jinping, Hu met the athletes at the Training Bureau of the General Administration of Sport, where teams in 11 events from 14 countries are training for the Games, according to local agency.