     thumb|right|the ceremony for the lighting of the flame is arranged as a pagan pageant, with priestesses dancing. the 2004 summer olympic games (greek: ÎÎµÏÎ¹Î½Î¿Î¯ ÎÎ»ÏÎ¼ÏÎ¹Î±ÎºÎ¿Î¯ ÎÎ³ÏÎ½ÎµÏ 2004), officially known as the games of the xxviii olympiad, was a premier international multi-sport event held in athens, greece, from 13 to 29 august 2004 with the motto welcome home. 10,625 athletes competed, some 600 more than expected, accompanied by 5,501 team officials from 201 countries. there were 301 medal events in 28 different sports. athens 2004 marked the first time since the 1996 summer olympics that all countries with a national olympic committee were in attendance. this marks the return of the games to the city where they began. a new medal obverse was introduced at these games, replacing the design by giuseppe cassioli that had been used since the 1928 games. this rectified the long lasting mistake of using a depiction of the roman colosseum rather than a greek venue.winner medals, olympic games museum. retrieved 27 july 2011. the new design features the panathinaiko stadium.athens' new olympic medal design win ioc's nod, people daily. accessed 5 august 2011. the 2004 summer games were hailed as "unforgettable, dream games" by ioc president jac
2004_Summer_Olympics 2004_in_Greek_sport 2004_in_multi-sport_events 21st_century_in_Athens History_of_Greece_since_1974 Olympic_Games_in_Greece Sport_in_Athens Summer_Olympic_Games