Emotions took over Bulgaria's gold winning shooter Maria Grozdeva during the awarding ceremony in Athens.
Grozdeva emerged as winner in the 25 m pistol women, topping athletes from the Czech Republic and Azerbaijan. That was the first gold medal for Bulgaria in the 28th Olympic Games.
Maria received the medal with tears in her eyes, under the sounds of the Bulgarian national anthem.
Bulgarian top statesmen - including the President and the ministers of sport and foreign affairs, were quick to send congratulation messages to the top shooter.
She will return in Bulgaria on Thursday afternoon, and will be welcomed with a special celebration at the Georgi Asparuhov stadium in Sofia.