On the Road to Athens 2004

also see -> Olympics 2004 Trivia Games

Athens was chosen as the host city in 1997, after surprisingly having lost the bid to organize the 1996 Summer Olympics, the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the modern Olympic Games. In 1997, they had a bid that was not only founded on their tradition, and they defeated Rome in the last round of voting, after Buenos Aires, Stockholm, Cape Town and San Juan had already received too few votes.

The route of the 2004 Olympics torch.

After that, the International Olympic Committee expressed its concern over the status of the progress of construction work of the new Olympic venues. A new Organizing Committee was formed under President Gianna Agellopolos-Daskalaki and preparations began. Athens today is being transformed into a city that uses state-of-the-art technology in transportation and urban development. Some of the most modern sporting venues in the world are being made ready to host the 2004 Olympic Games.

By late March of 2004, many Olympics projects were severely behind schedule, and Greek authorities announced that a roof would no longer be constructed over the main swimming venue. Olympic Stadium, the designated facility for the opening and closing ceremonies, is still currently under construction, with an estimated completion date of July 20, some three weeks before the games open. The current pace of preparation makes the rush to finish the Athens venues one of the tightest in Olympics history.

Following the September 11, 2001 attacks, the perceived risk of a terrorist attack was much higher. Greece has increased the budget for the Olympics to US$ 1.2 billion. Approximately 70,000 police officers will patrol Athens and the Olympic venues during the Olympics. NATO and the European Union are also providing support. On March 12, 2004, Greek officials asked NATO for assistance in securing these games against terrorism.

The lighting ceremony of the Olympic flame took place on March 25 in Ancient Olympia. The flame will travel around the world before returning to Greece.

EMI will release Unity, the official pop album of the Athens Olympics, in the leadup to the Olympics. It will feature contributions from Sting, Lenny Kravitz, Moby, Destiny's Child and Avril Lavigne. EMI will donate US$180,000 from the album to UNICEF's HIV/AIDS program in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Source: Wikipedia 2004 Summer Olympics

Athens 2004 Olympic Games