ATHENS 2004: A PATRIMONIAL LOOK

Athens 2004 (2015-08-07) by MlennyThe Olympic Museum

THE GAMES HOST COUNTRY AND CITY

Athens 2004 (2004-06-13) by IOCThe Olympic Museum

ONE OF THE WORLD’S OLDEST CITIES
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From the Parthenon to the Acropolis, with the ancient Agora, the Hill of the Muses, the Panathenaic Stadium and the Temple of Zeus, there is plenty of history to experience in Athens.

Athens 2004, Kisa_Markiza, 2016-11-27, From the collection of: The Olympic Museum
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The Odeon of Herodes Atticus built below the Acropolis in AD 161, with the city of Athens in the background.

Athens 2004, ImageDB, 2015-08-03, From the collection of: The Olympic Museum
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The evzones, who guard the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Syntagma Square. Their formal uniform includes a fustanella and tsarouchia, a pleated kilt and handmade shoes decorated with a black pompom, which was formerly used to hide a blade.

Athens 2004, Pablo_1960, 2015-11-16, From the collection of: The Olympic Museum
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The Plaka neighbourhood, with its picturesque narrow streets at the foot of the Acropolis.

Athens 2004, ProjectB, 2013-12-18, From the collection of: The Olympic Museum
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A typical encounter on a Greek island path.

Athens 2004 (2013-07-15) by oversnapThe Olympic Museum

THE MAIN ART TRENDS

Athens 2004 (2006-03-28) by deyangeorgievThe Olympic Museum

A LAND…

Hospitable and generous, with a rich cuisine, enchanting landscapes, and millennia-old art and culture.

Athens 2004, Public Domain Dedication, 1978-11-13, From the collection of: The Olympic Museum
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Ancient black-figure vase produced between the sixth and seventh century BC; the paint turned black when the pottery was fired in the kiln.

Athens 2004, Public Domain Dedication, 2004-06-13, From the collection of: The Olympic Museum
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Ancient red-figure vase showing a trainer and his two athletes, produced some time after 530 BC.

Athens 2004, Public Domain Dedication, 2004-06-13, From the collection of: The Olympic Museum
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Torchbearers.

Athens 2004, iamjiere, 2016-05-31, From the collection of: The Olympic Museum
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The whitewashed villages on the island of Santorini shine in the sunlight against the blue of the Aegean Sea.

Athens 2004, AskinTulayOver, 2009-12-27, From the collection of: The Olympic Museum
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Ancient mosaic made of multicoloured uncut pebbles.

Athens 2004, StratosGiannikos, 2014-12-06, From the collection of: The Olympic Museum
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Olive wreath painted on a ceramic surface, the symbol of victory.

Athens 2004, IOC, 2017-04-01, From the collection of: The Olympic Museum
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Cycladic figurine; the prehistoric art of the Cyclades flourished between 3300 and 2000 BC.

Athens 2004 (1994-02-12) by IOCThe Olympic Museum

THE LOOK OF THE GAMES

Athens 2004 (2004-06-13) by IOCThe Olympic Museum

« WELCOME HOME »

This was the slogan of the Athens 2004 Games as, indeed, the Games returned to their country of birth, 108 years after the first Games of the modern era were held in Athens in 1896.

Athens 2004, IOC, 2004-06-13, From the collection of: The Olympic Museum
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For the first time since the Amsterdam Games in 1928, the obverse of the medal was modified. The goddess Niké arrives in the Panathenaic Stadium to crown the winner. The medal now bears a sign of the Games belonging to Greece, the country of their birth and re-birth.

Athens 2004, IOC, 2004-06-13, From the collection of: The Olympic Museum
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On the reverse is an extract from the Odes of Pindar (460 BC) celebrating the winners.

Athens 2004 (2018-08-24) by IOCThe Olympic Museum

OLYMPISM WITH A GREEK IDENTITY

Athens 2004 (2004-06-13) by IOCThe Olympic Museum

SUPPLE, FLUID AND INSPIRED BY ANTIQUITY

Pictograms are an integral part of the visual identity of the Games. They convey a universal language and focus on the cultural and creative spirit of the host country.

Athens 2004, IOC, 2004-06-13, From the collection of: The Olympic Museum
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Athletics.

Athens 2004, IOC, 2004-06-13, From the collection of: The Olympic Museum
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Equestrian.

Athens 2004, IOC, 2004-06-13, From the collection of: The Olympic Museum
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35 pictograms representing the 28 sports on the programme.

Athens 2004 (2004-06-13) by IOCThe Olympic Museum

UNIVERSAL SYMBOL

The olive-wreath crown was the reward for the winners at the Olympic Games of Antiquity: it bestowed glory and divine protection. The olive branch is also a symbol of peace: thus, Greek culture and the universal values of the Games came together.

Athens 2004, IOC, 2004-06-13, From the collection of: The Olympic Museum
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The olive-wreath crown or “kotinos” was the reward for the winners at the Olympic Games of Antiquity.

Athens 2004, IOC, 2004-06-13, From the collection of: The Olympic Museum
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Natural olive branch crown.

Athens 2004, IOC, 2004-06-13, From the collection of: The Olympic Museum
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Emblem design.

Athens 2004, IOC, 2004-06-13, From the collection of: The Olympic Museum
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The Games emblem on an official poster.

Athens 2004 (2004-06-13) by IOCThe Olympic Museum

BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN TWO ERAS

The mascots, a brother and sister, represented the link between Ancient Greece and the Olympic Games of the modern era.

Athens 2004, IOC, 2004-06-13, From the collection of: The Olympic Museum
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A “Daidala” doll, ancient ceramic made from painted earthenware.

Athens 2004, IOC, 2004-06-13, From the collection of: The Olympic Museum
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Phivos and Athina refer to deities from Olympus: “Phoebos” was the last name of Apollon, god of light and music; while “Athena” was the goddess of wisdom and protector of the city of Athens.

Athens 2004, IOC, 2004-06-13, From the collection of: The Olympic Museum
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Athens 2004, IOC, 2004-06-13, From the collection of: The Olympic Museum
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Athens 2004, IOC, 2004-06-13, From the collection of: The Olympic Museum
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Athens 2004, IOC, 2004-06-13, From the collection of: The Olympic Museum
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Phivos and Athina practising all the sports on the Olympic programme.

Athens 2004, IOC, 2004-06-13, From the collection of: The Olympic Museum
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Credits: All media
The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.
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