The Athens 2004 Olympic Games Opening Ceremony took place on August 13, 2004, at the Olympic Stadium in Athens, Greece. The event featured a blend of traditional Greek culture and modern technology, with performances highlighting Greek history and mythology. One of the most memorable moments was the lighting of the Olympic cauldron by windsurfer Nikolaos Kaklamanakis. | History In Pictures

Modern Olympic Games were revived in 1896, inspired by the ancient Olympic Games that originated in Greece in 776 BC. From 1896 to 2024, numerous countries consistently performed exceptionally well in the Olympics, achieving remarkable medal tallies. The United States has been the most successful nation in Olympic history. Other countries with notable Olympic success include the Soviet Union (and later the Unified Team), Great Britain, China and Germany. The United States' remarkable achievement