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Port of Call |
LAST UPDATE July 12, 2005
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| site design imagesparkle.com |
| August 12, 2004 |
Piraeus, Greece – Athens 2004 Olympics Greece |
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| The arch inside the new stadium at Olympic Village |
With concerns of construction delays and cost overruns, skeptics and the faithful watched throughout the world in anticipation as the opening day of the 2004 Athens Olympics unfolded. Millions of people (some estimates predicted as many as four million) flocked to Greece to see the Olympics return to the country of their birthplace. Among the energized masses was Peace Boat, whose participants were eager to set out and see the games, the stadiums, and to witness Athens' success. |
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| From city center with the Acropolis and other ancient ruins in the horizon |
Over one hundred years have passed since Athens last hosted the Olympics, and Greece once again proved its capacity to provide a vibrant atmosphere for The Games to take place. Despite countless Olympic advertisements, new buildings, and groups of tourists poring into the city, Athens' ancient streets retained their tranquil beauty. On the first day of Peace Boat's visit, many participants set out to see the ancient city, and catch a glimpse of the Olympic spirit, likely to be experienced even in the most unexpected places. |
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| A group of Canadians ready to represent opening ceremony night in Athens center |
The evening of opening day, Peace Boat participants gathered with crowds of locals and tourists in Piraeus and Athens to watch a telecast of the opening ceremony on screens of all sizes. Along with the extravagant pyrotechnics at the beginning of the event, one striking aspect of the opening ceremony, which was held in the new futuristic Olympic stadium, was the range in the size of the competing teams being introduced onto the field. As a representation of a country's wealth and power, it was no surprise that many European countries walked with hundreds of athletes, while countries from South East Asia like Cambodia, or Africa's Eritrea had teams of less than a dozen. |
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| Restaurants and bars placed bring out the couches to encourage business during the opening ceremony |
The mixed crowd also acted as an international gauge of popularity regarding many country's current political standing. For instance, when the US and British teams, which included hundreds of athletes, made their way onto the screen, they drew only moderate applause. On the other hand, at the appearance of Iraq's roughly 30 athletes, the audience seemed unable to resist a heartfelt cheer for a country whose own sports stadium has become a bunker for tanks, and whose lands have been turned into a battle ground. |
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| Flags hanging outside one of many vendors in Athens |
When the Games started the following day, Peace Boat participants split up and made their way to various events around the city. Many small groups chose to attend events like swimming, soccer, gymnastics, volleyball, and cycling, while nearly five hundred participants traveled together to the women's Judo event to cheer on a Japanese favorite, who went on to claim one of this year's first Olympic Gold Medals. During the event, using poster size letters, the participants staged a "Peace cheer" as part of Peace Boat's Olympic Truce campaign, calling for the world to cease all hostilities for the duration of The Games. |
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| Tiana and Nicola from Media School Without Borders present a peace flag at the Olympic Village |
Flag wavers could be seen throughout Athens, and street vendors were eager to increase this trend. Inside the Olympic Village in Athens, members of Media School Without Borders (a documentary film making school traveling with Peace Boat) visited the new Olympic stadium to wave their own flag of peace.
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| Cyclists pass crowds near Kotzia in Athens city center |
The excitement of the Cycle Road Race staged through the streets of Athens' centre was another favorite among participants. One Peace Boat staff member, Eric Ellefsen, commented that he hadn`t really felt the full impact of the Olympics until he saw the crowds lining the streets for the cycle race. "When the athletes sped past I really felt the Olympic fever." |
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