AUG 13
OPENING CEREMONY

Athens' bumpy ride to the Olympics ends with a lavish welcome ceremony

After 108 years of waiting, and with 28 centuries of Olympic history coursing through the nation, the Olympic Games triumphantly returned to Athens, Greece. Athenians welcomed the world back to the birthplace of the ancient and modern Olympic Games with a stunningly ornate, extravagant and breathtaking ceremony filled with myth, music and majesty.

At dusk, a countdown video filled the screen at the Olympic Stadium -- whose new weblike canopy was bolted into place only last month. The numbers clicked down from 28: one second for each of the games scheduled since the first modern Olympiad in an all-marble arena in central Athens. Each tick of the clock was accompanied by the amplified sound of a human heartbeat. Then, with a blast of fireworks around the stadium roof, the ceremony was fully under way. A pyrotechnic comet was launched from a video screen. It landed in a shallow 554,000-gallon manmade lake in the middle of the stadium, where five Olympic rings were ignited and 75,000 people stood in awe.

The Olympics returned to its birthplace Friday in an epic homecoming heralded by a pounding heartbeat, a mythological centaur and an array of Greek gods followed by the biggest parade of nations in the games' history. "The Olympic Games: Welcome back to Greece!'' an announcer cried to kick off the opening ceremony, which culminated with the Greek windsurfing champion from the 1996 Games, Nikolaos Kaklamanakis, lighting the cauldron at the end of a slender 102-foot arm that rose slowly over one end of the stadium.

It was a moment many doubted Greek organizers could pull off, after years of worrisome delays and constant pressure to bolster the most expensive security network ever at an Olympics. The ceremony also closed an important circle in sports, from the games' innocent rebirth in 1896 to the latest gathering of the world's greatest athletes under 202 flags in an age beset by fears of terrorism and instability.

"Greece is standing before you. We are ready. ... We have waited long for this moment,'' said the games' chief organizer, Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki, standing under an model of an olive tree with Jacques Rogge, the president of the International Olympic Committee. They were ringed by about 10,500 of the world's greatest athletes from 202 nations, the largest parade in Olympic history.

Greek history, culture and civilization were celebrated during the Opening Ceremonies. After the burning Olympic flames subsided, a boy on a replica of a ship sailed into the arena, waving a small Greek flag. Then the centaur -- the mythological half-man, half-horse -- waded into the water up to his hoof and tossed a spear of light representing a javelin skyward. From the bottom of the sea in the center of the stadium rose a statue representing an ancient form from Greece's Cyclades islands. The form broke apart into eight pieces to reveal the figure of Kouros, a 6th-century B.C. emperor. Ivory sculptures came to life, posing and running.

The ancient god of love, Eros, flew above two lovers dancing and playing in the water. Then Eros hovered over a procession of figures from Greek history -- from ancient vase paintings to a tribute to the Greek shepherd, Spiros Louis, who won the first Olympic marathon.

Greece, because of its links to the ancient games, entered first, as usual. But, as the host nation, the more than 440 Greek athletes also were the last into the stadium -- walking single file as the crowd chanted "Hellas, Hellas,'' as the country is called in Greek.

AUG 14
13 Gold Medals = 1 in Cycling (Road), 2 in Diving, 1 in Fencing, 2 in Judo, 2 in Shooting, 4 in Swimming, 1 in Weightlifting. CHN powers ahead with 4 golds on Day 1.

AUG 15
12 Gold Medals = 1 in Cycling (Road), 1 in Fencing, 2 in Judo, 2 in Shooting, 4 in Swimming, 2 in Weightlifting. CHN leads with 5, AUS/JPN both have 4. CHN/AUS/USA ties at the top with 8 medals each. 12 nations have won golds. The host nation has yet to win a medal of any kind.

AUG 16
14 Gold Medals = 2 in Diving, 1 in Fencing, 1 in Gymnastics (Artistic), 2 in Judo, 2 in Shooting, 4 in Swimming, 2 in Weightlifting. CHN is far ahead with 10 golds, AUS 6, JPN 5. CHN has 15 medals, USA/AUS with 13. Host nation wins 2 medals today - 1 G, 1 B. Also, GER/KOR collected their 1st gold medals. 15 nations have won golds and 37 nations have won medals so far.

AUG 17
11 Gold Medals = 2 in Fencing, 1 in Gymnastics (Artistic), 2 in Judo, 2 in Shooting, 4 in Swimming. CHN still leads with 10 golds while USA/AUS/JPN are close behind at 6 each. USA has 19 medals, CHN 18, AUS 14. Host nation collects another gold. ROM/SUI/UAE win 1st gold medals. 18 nations have golds, 41 nations have medals.

AUG 18
21 Gold Medals = 1 in Archery, 2 in Athletics, 2 in Canoe/Kayak (Slalom), 2 in Cycling (Road), 2 in Equestrian, 1 in Fencing, 1 in Gymnastics (Artistic), 2 in Judo, 2 in Shooting, 4 in Swimming , 2 in Weightlifting. CHN leads USA by 11-10 golds. JPN has 8. USA powers ahead with 29 medals followed by CHN 22, AUS 16. BUL/GEO/NED/POL/SVK win 1st gold medals. 23 nations have golds, 45 nations have medals.

AUG 19
15 Gold Medals = 1 in Archery, 2 in Badminton, 1 in Fencing, 1 in Gymnastics (Artistic), 2 in Judo, 2 in Shooting, 4 in Swimming, 2 in Weightlifting. USA ties CHN with 14 golds. JPN is at 9 and AUS at 7. USA is far ahead in total medals with 35, CHN has 29 and RUS has 21. BLR wins 1st gold medal. 24 nations have golds, 48 nations have medals.

AUG 20
20 Gold Medals = 1 in Archery, 2 in Athletics, 1 in Badminton, 2 in Canoe/Kayak (Slalom), 2 in Cycling (Track), 1 in Fencing, 1 in Gymnastics (Trampoline), 2 in Judo, 2 in Shooting, 4 in Swimming, 1 in Table Tennis, 1 in Weightlifting. USA jumps to 17 golds, CHN at 15, JPN 12. USA leads with 40 medals vs China's 36 and Russia's 28. ETH/GBR/NZL/NOR/ZIM wins 1st gold medals. 29 nations have golds, 55 nations have medals.

AUG 21
32 Gold Medals (Super Saturday) = 1 in Archery, 3 in Athletics, 2 in Badminton, 2 in Cycling (Track), 1 in Equestrian, 1 in Gymnastics (Trampoline), 1 in Fencing, 7 in Rowing, 4 in Sailing, 1 in Shooting, 4 in Swimming, 1 in Table Tennis, 2 in Tennis, 2 in Weightlifting. Golds - USA 19, CHN 18, JPN 12, AUS 11. Medals - USA 46, CHN 41, RUS 33. BEL/CHI/INA/SWE wins 1st gold medals. 33 nations have golds, 60 nations have medals.

AUG 22
27 Gold Medals = 5 in Athletics, 1 in Cycling (Track), 1 in Diving, 1 in Fencing, 5 in Gymnastics (Artistic), 7 in Rowing, 2 in Sailing, 2 in Shooting, 1 in Table Tennis, 2 in Tennis. CHN retakes gold medal lead with 22, USA 21, JPN 13, AUS 12. Total medals - USA 57, CHN 46, RUS 36. BRA/CAN/DEN/NZL wins 1st gold medals. 36 nations have golds, 61 nations have medals.

AUG 23
19 Gold Medals = 6 in Athletics, 1 in Cycling (Track), 5 in Gymnastics (Artistic), 1 in Softball, 1 in Table Tennis, 1 in Weightlifting, 4 in Wrestling (W). USA ties CHN for 23 golds, JPN 15, AUS 13. Total medals - USA 66, CHN 50, RUS 41. CMR/CUB/ESP wins 1st gold medals. 39 nations have golds, 65 nations have medals.

AUG 24
13 Gold Medals = 6 in Athletics, 3 in Cycling (Track), 1 in Diving, 1 in Equestrian, 1 in Volleyball (Beach - W), 1 in Weightlifting. Gold - USA 25, CHN 24, JPN 15, AUS 14. Total medals - USA 72, CHN 51, RUS 48. BAH/CZE/KEN/LTU/MAR wins 1st gold medals. 44 nations have golds, 67 nations have medals.

MASCOTS Athena, goddess of wisdom and patron of the city of Athens Phevos, god of light and music, known as Apollo

AUG 25
18 Gold Medals = 3 in Athletics, 1 in Baseball, 3 in Cycling (Track), 1 in Equestrian, 2 in Sailing, 1 in Synchronized Swimming, 1 in Triathlon, 1 in Volleyball (Beach - M), 1 in Weightlifting, 4 in Wrestling. Gold - USA 25, CHN 24, AUS 16, JPN 15, RUS 14. Total medals - USA 76, RUS 54, CHN 52, AUS 42. AUT/AZE/ISR/JAM/IRI wins 1st gold medals. 49 nations have golds, 68 nations have medals.

AUG 26
15 Gold Medals = 3 in Athletics, 1 in Diving, 1 in Football (W), 1 in Hockey (W), 1 Modern Pentathlon (M), 1 in Sailing, 2 in Taekwondo, 1 in Triathlon, 1 in Water Polo (W), 3 in Wrestling. Gold - USA 28, CHN 25, AUS 16, RUS/JPN 15, GER/FRA 10. Total medals - USA 83, RUS 57, CHN 54, AUS 42. DOM/EGY/TPE/UZB wins 1st gold medals. 53 nations have golds, 71 nations have medals.

AUG 27
20 Gold Medals = 7 in Athletics, 6 in Canoe/Kayak (Flatwater), 1 in Cycling (Mountain Bike), 1 in Equestrian, 1 in Hockey (M), 1 in Modern Pentathlon (W), 1 in Synchronized Swimming, 2 in Taekwondo. Gold - USA 29, CHN 27, RUS/AUS 17, JPN 15, GER 12, FRA 10. Total medals - USA 90, RUS 68, CHN 57, AUS/GER 44. IRE wins 1st gold medal. 54 nations have golds, 73 nations have medals.

AUG 28
34 Gold Medals = 8 in Athletics, 2 in Basketball, 5 in Boxing, 6 in Canoe/Kayak (Flatwater), 1 in Cycling (Mountain Bike), 1 in Diving, 1 in Football (M), 1 in Gymnastics (Rhythmic), 2 in Sailing, 2 in Taekwondo, 1 in Volleyball (Indoor - W), 4 in Wrestling. USA surpasses their goal of 100 medals and their total haul in Sydney 4 years ago of 97. China surpasses their Sydney performance in both number of golds AND number of medals. Gold - USA 34, CHN 31, RUS 23, AUS 17, JPN 15, GER 14, FRA 11. Total medals - USA 100, RUS 84, CHN 62, AUS 49, GER 47.

AUG 29
17 Gold Medals = 1 in Athletics/Marathon, 6 in Boxing, 1 in Gymnastics (Rhythmic), 2 in Handball, 2 in Taekwondo, 1 in Volleyball (Indoor - M), 1 in Water Polo (M), 3 in Wrestling. Final medal tally. 75 nations have medals, 5 less than Sydney 2000. 57 nations have gold medals.

CLOSING CEREMONY - AUG 29, 2004
Efharisto, Athena!

A nervous world learned the Greek word for thank you and repeated it endlessly at an astonishingly successful Athens Olympics that quelled fears, surprised skeptics and greatly honored the birthplace of the games.

Efharisto, Athens, for architectural masterpieces of stadiums and arenas that showcased record performances. The fountain sprays, reflecting pools and soaring arches. The undulating, giant white Wall of Nations that caught the whispering wind, bringing music to our ears and smiles to our faces.

Efharisto for the thousands of security forces who stood guard day and night, keeping terrorism away. An undercurrent of danger, a sense of tranquility. We saw guns everywhere, walked in peace.

"You have won," International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge told the Greek people in prepared remarks for the closing ceremony. "You have won by brilliantly meeting the tough challenge of holding the games. "These were unforgettable, dream games."

He was right, even if they started slowly the first week with empty seats and vacant plazas as many Greeks took their holidays and frightened tourists stayed away. The second week saw the games transformed. The huge Olympic stadium was packed each night for track and field. Basketball, tennis and beach volleyball rocked.

Athletes who finished their events partied, roaming the Plaka, Syntagma and Omonia squares. It was Greece at its rollicking best, a spirited fusion of visitors from all countries, and of all colors and ages. It reminded us again, at a time when we need all the reminding we can get, that the Olympics celebrate humanity's highest aspirations, the universal quest for peace and the exalted qualities of body, mind and spirit that transcend cultures.

Efharisto, Athens, for coupling the ancient with the new, putting up with years of jarring construction, spending billions beyond your budget, and giving us a glimpse of your future as a sophisticated, modern city.

These games took us to their sacred origin in Olympia, the mythological home of the gods, to watch the shot put, to Marathon to stand on the spot where the race got its name.

We trod like pilgrims to a shrine up the dusty stones of the Acropolis to gaze with awe at the 2,500-year-old Parthenon. Our imaginations did the rest, letting us feel the spirit of Socrates, Plato and Aristole; Pericles and Alexander the Great; Hippocrates and Herodotus; Euclid and Pythagoras — that brainy bunch who laid the foundation for our culture.

The scourge of sports — steroids, stimulants and other drugs — intruded but didn't spoil the games. A record two dozen athletes were caught, seven lost medals, and there could be more to come as the test results keep rolling in.

These Olympics saw the rise of a China as a sports superpower as it positioned itself for the 2008 games in Beijing. The United States, buoyed by the brilliance of swimming star Michael Phelps but embarrassed by the three losses and mere bronze of its once-vaunted men's basketball team, won the most medals. Americans beat their target of 100 by three, 35 of them gold. Russia finished second with 92, including 27 gold. China was third with 63 medals, 32 gold.

And, once again, Efharisto! See you in Beijing 2008!