Stuff I wrote for my college campus newspaper - 16

Things You Need To Know about Olympics 2004

By Sanket Kambli

"As in the daytime there is no star in the sky warmer and brighter than the sun, likewise there is no competition greater than the Olympic Games."
Pindar, Greek lyric poet, 5th century bc.

This view of the Olympic Games has its roots in ancient Greece. Early historic records date the first Ancient Olympic Games to 776 BC, when the core values of Olympism first began to develop into benchmarks of human creativity and excellence. Over the centuries, the Games illuminated examples of extraordinary achievement. They became the stage for the celebration of noble competition and the educational value of sport until 393 AD, when Emperor Theodosius abolished them for being "too pagan".

In 1896, thanks to the great efforts of Frenchman Pierre de Coubertin, Dimitrios Vikelas, and other contributors, the first Modern Olympic Games were held in the country of their birth. The Greek nation and the whole world embraced their revival and once again turned them into the greatest celebration on earth. In the century to follow, the Games traveled to countries around the world, encountering a wide range of cultures and civilisations, facing new challenges, growing, and evolving.

In August 2004, the Olympic Games will return to their ancient birthplace and the city of their revival. Athletes from all nations will unite in Greece to engage in noble competition. The Athens Olympic Games will combine History, culture and

Peace with sports and Olympism. The people of Greece shall host unique Games on a human scale, inspiring the world to celebrate Olympic values.

To curb the menace of performance enhancing drugs ,the organisers have planned a ‘Doping Control Programme’,possessing high quality procedures, traceability and confidentiality, and contribute to the development of drug-free Olympic Games for all athletes. It is being done to respect medical and sport ethics and take into consideration the protection of athletes' health and reputation. This Programme also plans to ensure the efficient supply of consumables and equipment, secure sample transport and high-level training and integration of volunteers. The samples (urine and/or blood) will be examined at AOSC Accredited Laboratory in a professional manner to guard the confidentiality of athletes.

Security will be a key issue for all host cities and the top priority for ATHENS 2004. ATHENS 2004 is working in close partnership with the Hellenic Police, the Greek Government and international security experts to host a safe and secure Olympic Games. ATHENS 2004 will employ the most advanced security technology. A specially trained security force of over 41,000 personnel will work around the clock for the security of the Games.

Olympic Venues Events

Markopoulo Olympic Shooting Centre--------Shooting

Vouliagmeni Olympic Centre-------------------Triathlon

Markopoulo Olympic Equestrian Centre-----Equestrian

Agios Kosmas Olympic Sailing Centre-----------Sailing

Indoor Arena--------------------------------------------Basketball (preliminaries)

-------------------------------------------------------------Handball (finals)

Fencing Hall---------------------------------------------Fencing

Olympic Baseball Centre-------------------------------Baseball

Olympic Canoe / Kayak Slalom Centre--------------Canoe / Kayak ------------------------------------------------------------------Slalom

Olympic Hockey Centre-----------------------------Hockey

Olympic Softball Stadium -----------------------------Softball

FCO - Sports Pavillion-------------------------------Taekwondo

(preliminaries)

--------------------------------------------------------------Handball

FCO - Olympic Beach Volleyball Centre-----------Beach ----------------------------------------------------------------Volleyball

Peace and Friendship Stadium----------------------Volleyball

Karaiskaki Stadium, Athens----------------------------Football

Nikaia Olympic Weightlifting Hall-----------------Weightlifting

Athens City Center Cycling Road Race Course -----------------------------------------------------------Cycling Road Race

Peristeri Olympic Boxing Hall ----------------------Boxing

Panathinaiko Stadium ---------------------------------Archery

--------------------------------------------------------------Marathon Finish

Galatsi Olympic Hall--------------------------------Table Tennis

----------------------------------------------------------Rhythmic Gymnastics

Goudi Olympic Compex------------------------Modern Pentathlon

------------------------------------------------------------Badminton

Olympic Aquatic Centre-------------------------------Aquatics

Olympic Indoor Hall ----------------------------Gymnastics

------------------------------------------------- (Artistic/ Trampoline)

------------------------------------------------- Basketball (finals)

Olympic Stadium ----------------------------------------Athletics

Olympic Tennis Centre -------------------------------------Tennis

Olympic Velodrome ------------------------------------Cycling Track

Ano Liosia Olympic Hall -----------------------------------Wrestling

--------------------------------------------------------------------------Judo

Parnitha Olympic Mountain Bike Venue

-----------------------------------------------------------------Mountain Bike

Schinias Olympic Rowing and Canoeing Centre -------------------------------Rowing Canoe / Kayak Flatwater Racing