Moscow: Russia has set a minimum target of 25 gold medals at the 2012 Olympic Games in London, in a bid to reach a top-three place in the medal table.

"Twenty-five gold medals, I think, is the minimum that will allow us to finish the Olympic Games in London among the world's three strongest sporting powers," National Olympic Committee president Alexander Zhukov was quoted as saying by Xinhua.

Zukhov hoped that Russia could gain more gold medals than in 2008 Beijing Olympics.

As of April 19, a total of 294 Russian athletes have qualified for London Olympics and the country's final list would be fixed in June, Zhukov said.

Russian Minister of Sport, Tourism and Youth Policy Vitaly Mutko said that Russia's main rival will be Britain.

In 2008 Beijing Olympics, Russians won 23 gold medals for the third place, behind China (51 golds) and the US (36).

The Russia officials are pondering incentives for Olympians, as the athletes are expected to receive some 4 million rubles (some $135,400) for each gold medal won. (IANS)