|
Countdown to Athens
Geneva - December 10, 2002
On September 4, 1997, Athens was selected as the host city of the 2004 Olympic Games in Lausanne, Switzerland. Since that day, Athens and the Athens 2004 Organising Committee (ATHOC) has embarked on a unique journey in the history of Olympism that will culminate in Greece from 13 to 29 August 2004.
The Olympic Games are returning to their ancient birthplace and the city of their revival. Athletes from all nations will unite in Greece to engage in noble competition. The 2004 Athens Olympic Games will combine history, culture and peace with sports and Olympism. The people of Greece plan to host unique Games on a human scale, inspiring the world to celebrate Olympic values.
A vast amount of careful planning and coordination is already underway to ensure that the 2004 Olympic Games are a big success. ATHENS 2004 places great emphasis on the realisation of its vision through the enthusiasm, dedication, cooperative spirit of professionally experienced, educated and suitably skilled work force.
Olympism and Culture
Culture has always been an important aspect of the Olympic Games. ATHENS 2004 proposes a new relationship between Olympism and Culture and places the human being at the centre of all activity. In the spirit of Olympism, it promotes the indissoluble and reciprocal relationship between culture and sport; links the history of Olympism with the history of Greece; highlights the principles and ideals of Olympism, and promotes ATHENS 2004 and its principles through culture.
|
The 2004 Olympic Games Emblem
The emblem of the 2004 Olympic Games was unveiled to the public on 30 September 1999. The 2004 Olympic Games emblem portrays an olive wreath, or kotinos, a symbol with special meaning in terms of its history, shape, and color. The kotinos (a branch from an olive tree intertwined in a circle - the wreath) is directly related to the history of the ancient Olympic Games. At the time, the kotinos was the official award of Olympic champions and was generally acknowledged as the most honourable prize. In addition, olive was the sacred tree of Athens. The kotinos is therefore also an emblem of the city where democracy and civilisation were founded.
|
 |
|
The circular shape of the olive wreath portrayed on the emblem projects the unity of the world and a link between the past and the present. Its visual language also evokes the honesty and nobility of all unassuming forms and the warmth and familiarity of primary symbols. It is in accordance with the basic criterion of a free rendering, without leading directly to the standardised aesthetics of electronic reproduction. The colour palette of the emblem refers to the Greek ranges of white and blue that represent the Greek landscape. By avoiding a solid background and instead using different tones of blue, it suggests transparency and fluidity, recalling again the blue skies and seas of the Greek landscape.
Mascots
 |
|
Phevos and Athena are brother and sister and the official ATHENS 2004 Mascots. Their creation was inspired by an ancient Greek doll and their names are linked to ancient Greece. And yet the two siblings are children of modern times.
The names of two Olympian gods: Phevos, name of the Olympian god of light and music, known as Apollo. Athena, goddess of wisdom and patron of the city of Athens.
In this way, Phevos and Athena represent the link between Greek history and the modern Olympic Games.
Phevos and Athena represent the values of Olympism: participation, brotherhood, equality, cooperation, fair play.
|
The Paralympic Games Logo
|
The Paralympic Games is an elite sports event where athletes compete for the best performance and highest distinction, a Paralympic medal. In 2004, athletes are invited to outdo themselves at the Athens Paralympic Games.
The 2004 Paralympic emblem features the profile of a person, an athlete, man or woman. The figure looks forward, symbolising optimism for the future. At the center is the human face, breathing out the individual's strength and determination to succeed in all pursuits. The shape is friendly, the lines are smooth, the colour is warm, orange and bright, harbinger of the great celebration that is coming. The composition points to the sun and the flame that resides within all athletes, inspiring and imparting strength to them. At the same time, the sun is a direct reference to Greece, host of the 2004 Paralympic Games.
|
|
|
For more information on the Athens 2004 Olympic Games, go to www.athens2004.com
> BACK
|
