For Immediate Release
August 23, 2004

Athletes and Spectators Relive History
Fact of the Day

Athens, home of the ancient Olympic Games and first venue of the modern games, has allowed the world to relive history through athletic competition. The route of the marathon at the 2004 Olympic Games is identical to the one run by Phidippides, the soldier who ran from Marathon to Athens in 490 b.c. with news of the Greek military victory over the Persians at the Battle of Marathon. It ends in Panathinaikon Stadium, the marble stadium originally constructed 2,300 years ago and first rebuilt in 1896 for the first modern games. Panathinaikon is also the venue for archery. And the shot put is being held in the Ancient Stadium in Olympia, site of many events of the Olympic Games over two centuries ago.

Source: Athens 2004 Olympic Games (www.athens2004.com)