August 29, 2004
CBC SPORTS ONLINE

Athens Games close with two-hour spectacle

The 2004 Summer Games ended with a vibrant two-hour extravaganza at Athens' Olympic Stadium on Sunday.

Greece bid farewell to guests from 201 countries in a ceremony that started with fireworks and a dazzling light show.

Some 70,000 spectators were treated to Greek folk dancing and music before thousands of athletes marched into the stadium waving flags and taking pictures.

Kayaker Adam van Koeverden, who won a gold medal and a bronze in Athens, was the flag-bearer for the Canadian Olympic team, which finished with three gold, six silver and three bronze medals.

At the end of the ceremony, the Olympic flame was extinguished, singers performed on stage and another round of fireworks lit up the sky.

The final speeches included tributes to Athens' ability to stage a successful Games despite years of construction delays.

"The Olympics came home and we've shown the world the great things Greeks can do," said Athens Organizing Committee boss Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki. "Athens was great for the athletes, Greece was great for the Games."

International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge described the games as "unforgettable.

"Dear Greek friends, you have won," he said. "You have won by brilliantly meeting the tough challenge of holding the Games."

Rogge also said it was "increasingly difficult" for athletes to cheat at the Athens Games as compared to past Olympics.

Rogge presented the medals for the men's marathon, which was marred by controversy earlier in the day.

A spectator ran onto the course in that event and approached Brazilian Vanderlei de Lima, who was leading the race with about 15 minutes to go.

The spectator pushed the Brazilian into the crowd. De Lima rejoined the race after about five seconds but he appeared shaken and was soon passed by Stefano Baldini of Italy, who had already been gaining on him.

Baldini won the race ahead of American Meb Keflezighi.

De Lima waved and smiled at crowd in Olympic Stadium while Rogge presented him with his bronze medal.

Written by CBC Sports Online staff

reprinted with permission