20 YEARS FROM THE ATHENS 2004 OLYMPICS AND PARALYMPICS

One hundred and eight years after their first modern revival in Greece, the Olympic Games returned home in 2004, with the 28th Summer Olympics of Athens. The games were hosted in several Olympic venues in Attica and the regions, while the shot put event was held in the stadium of Ancient Olympia, to honour the birthplace of the games. A total of 10,625 athletes from 201 countries participated.

Greece won 16 medals (6 gold, 6 silver, 4 bronze) in the Olympics and 11 (1 gold, 3 silver, 7 bronze) in the Paralympics that followed in September. The conduct of the Athens 2004 Olympics was a very complex and demanding undertaking, which required a huge mobilisation of the Greek economy and society, assisted by an unprecedented mass of volunteers. Greece won high acclaim for the impeccable organisation and hospitality. The legacy of the 2004 Olympics, in addition to the valuable know-how that was gained, includes modern Olympic facilities, as well as numerous construction projects and infrastructures that were built or expedited for the occasion.