XXVIII Olympic Games in Athens, Greece-Seychelles delegation settles at Olympic Games |09 August 2004

The first contingent of the Seychelles delegation arrived in Athens, Greece Saturday afternoon to participate in the XXVIII Olympiad, the world’s major sports celebration.

The athletes and officials were welcomed at Athens’ “Eleftherias Venizelos” International Airport by officials of the Games’ organising committee before settling in the Games Village.

The remainder of the Seychelles delegation is expected in Athens during the course of this week.

On the home straight before the official opening ceremony of the Olympic Games on Friday August 13, organisers have said that everything is ready.

Greek Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis inspected the international press centre at Zappeian on Friday and talked to foreign journalists who will be covering the Games in the Greek capital.

International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Jacques Rogge has stated that Greece "is more than ready to win the big bet of the Olympics, assuring that the Olympic Games in Athens will be pure magic."

Former IOC president Juan Antonio Samaranch, who arrived in Athens on Saturday, said:
"I’m very happy to be in Greece. I’m sure that the Olympic Games is going to be successful and this success will not only reflect on Greece, but on the entire world."
Meanwhile, the IOC has announced that the Athens Olympic Games global broadcast is set to break all records.

This year’s Olympic Games is expected to be the strongest Olympic broadcast ever with more channels than ever before broadcasting the Games to more countries and territories, with a record number of hours, a significant rise in potential audience, and dramatic increases in live and prime-time coverage.

IOC president Jacques Rogge said: "We are very encouraged by these responses from our broadcast partners and look forward to a great Athens 2004 broadcast."

"The IOC is committed to ensuring that as many people as possible throughout the world have the opportunity to share in the Olympic experience through television. As the Olympic Games return to the nation of their ancient birth and the city of their revival, it is fitting that the whole world witness the great achievements of the Olympic athletes."