2004 OLYMPIC GAMES - Athens, Greece Aug. 13 - 29

[BOREALIS]

Athens deserves a gold medal for 2004 Games
Predictions of chaos never came true as Greece proved it could do it

Updated: 3:56 a.m. ET Aug. 28, 2004

ATHENS, Greece - It’s official — the Olympics were a success. The venues were not only finished but they stayed standing, transportation ran on time, streets were clean and security did such a good job that even petty crime went down.

Despite the years of predictions that the Games would be nothing short of chaotic, Athens did more than just pull it off — it hosted what most visitors are calling an unforgettable experience.

In the months leading up to the Olympics, the organizers tried to convince the world. With press conferences and media interviews, they insisted that Athens would be ready. But few believed it — not even the Greeks.

“Three months ago I passed the stadium and was so nervous. I thought there was no way they could get it done in time,” said Athens resident Vicky Micheli, 22. “The last two months I’ve seen Athens totally change.”

In some ways the Greeks are lucky. They did what needed to be done, but they are also blessed with a forgiving audience who turned a blind eye to anything that was less-than-perfect.

“You can really feel the Olympic spirit,” said Canadian Marina Marinou, an Olympic volunteer nurse and resident of Athens for the past eight years. “The world is one in Athens.”

When else is it possible to bring together people from 202 nations and not witness one fight? When else can you wave your flag, be proud of where you come from and still admire your opponents for their hard work?

Despite the rave reviews, the perception still exists outside Athens that the Games were as chaotic as the media predicted in the months leading up to the Games. The public just can’t seem to believe that not only is everything finished and running smoothly, it is also a lot of fun to be here.

“When I got back the only thing people would say to me was, “How was it? It was a disaster, right?” said Robert Stafler, 29, who came to the Games from Tel Aviv last week for five days. “No one can believe how much fun it actually was.”

In Athens, the first thing the residents ask visitors is, “Honestly, what do you think of our country? Don’t say you like it just because I am Greek.”

And when the answer is a positive, “It’s beautiful,” or “The Greeks are wonderful hosts,” a self-satisfied smile appears on the questioners’ faces. Unfailingly, their response is a proud, “It is the most beautiful country,” or “We proved that we can do anything.”

That feeling of national pride is evident all over the flag-draped capital.

"There is another spirit in the city: the self-esteem, the feeling that we can make it, a feeling that everybody is responsible for the future of this country," Athens Mayor Dora Bakoyannis told Reuters on Friday.

Athens has convinced itself and its Olympic visitors of its greatness, now it’s time to convince the rest of the world.


http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5844181/