Olympic Channel Official Films
Athens 2004 Official Film | Bud Greenspan's Athens 2004: Stories of Olympic Glory
TV-PG
S1 • E29 Jul 1, 2005 1h 36mMany felt that economic conditions in Greece would derail the Athens Olympiad. But the dignified Opening Ceremony, full of grace and historical references, put paid to such fears. The shot put events took place at Olympia, and all gold medallists received an olive crown. Local heroes like Pyrvos Dimas, the medal-winning weight-lifter, are featured in Greenspan's documentary. Some often overlooked sports are given prominence: fencing, softball, and cycling, for example. Hicham El Guerrouji is shown finally winning the gold medal he so richly deserved in the 1,500 metres after being knocked over in Atlanta 1996, and beaten on the line in Sydney 2000.