- [the President of Athens 2004 Organizing Committee for the Olympics Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki and the President of the International Olympic Committee Jacques Rogge began their long walk to the podium, where under an Olive tree, the olive branch symbolism was everywhere, to deliver the opening addresses before the Games of the XXVIII Olympiad officially declare open. Speaking in Greek translates in English]
- Self - ATHOC President: Kalosílthate! - Welcome!
- [Speaking English]
- Self - ATHOC President: Welcome to the Games of the XXVIII Olympiad. Welcome to a unique Olympic Homecoming. Athletes of the World, you are the true and worthy heirs of Coroebus. He was the first reported Olympic Champion nearly 3,000 years ago. And now you will become Olympians here in Greece, where it all began. You've been at the heart of our preparations. You are at the center of our Games. With your valor, and form, and youth, you give life to our highest ideals. You compete fiercely, but you compete peacefully. Your achievement of excellence on the field of play are for us the very definition of beauty. You give flight to our souls. In your contest, division between nations and race disappear. Citizens of the world, for the second time in 108 years, Greece stands before you. As host country of the greatest celebration of humanity. With a sense of solemn pride and responsibility. Pierre de Coubertin said, "Célébrer les Jeux Olympiques c'est se réclamer de l'histoire"; "Holding an Olympic Games is evoking history. For the next 16 days, you will see that the heritage of Greece finds a new and modern expression in the accomplishment of our country, of our people, and our wonderful volunteers!
- [Applauses]
- Self - ATHOC President: And this is... this new Greece that we want you to discover. You will be moved. You will be awed, inspired, and exhilarated, watching the best athletes of the world give their best here in Athens. Greece is going to fire the world's imagination. Last night, the flame lit Acropolis. Tonight, it will complete it's global journey and shine before us all. In one day, it has traveled 3,000 of our history, from the Acropolis to this modern stadium, the symbol of our modern Games.
- [Speaking in Greek which translates into English]
- Self - ATHOC President: I Elláda eínai edó! Eímaste étoimoi! Ekatommýria Éllines me tin kardiá kai tin psychí tous ergástikan sklirá gia na ftásoun os edó. Mazí gráfoume éna néo kai panémorfo kefálaio stin Istoría ton Agónon. Apópse, gráfetai Istoría. Apópse, mazí sas kai chári se esás. Periméname Polý aftí ti stigmí. As to charoúme loipón. Kai as yiortásoume mazí me tous kalesménous mas me tous athlités, me tous eposképtes. Na giortásoume me ólo ton kósmo. - Greece is here! We are ready! Millions of Greeks worked hard body and soul, in order to be here at this very moment. Together we will have a new and wonderful chapter in the history of the Games. Tonight we make history. Tonight with you and thanks to you. We looked forward to this moment. Let us enjoy it. Let us celebrate together with our guests, the athletes, and visitors. Let us celebrate with the whole world.
- [In Greek]
- Self - ATHOC President: , Olympiakoí Agónes, Kalós írthate.
- [in French]
- Self - ATHOC President: , Jeux olympiques, Bienvenue.
- [And in English]
- Self - ATHOC President: , Olympic Games, welcome home.
- [the athletes are coming home to the finish line in Athens]
- Self - ATHOC President: And now, I have the honor of inviting Jacques Rogge, President of the International Olympic Committee to speak. Jacques.
- [ATHOC President Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki welcomes the new President of the International Olympic Committee Jacques Rogge since he was elected on July 16, 2001. Speaking in Greek]
- Self - IOC President: Kýrie Próedre tis Ellinikís Dimokratías, - Mr. President of the Hellenic Republic, Agapitoí Éllines fíloi, - Dear Greek Friend,
- [Turning to French]
- Self - IOC President: Le monde entier rend un triple hommage à la Grèce ce soir. L'humanité vous doit cette merveilleuse aventure des Jeux Olympiques que vous avez créée il y a 28 siècles à Olympie. Le monde vous honore aussi d'avoir rénove ces Jeux en 1896, ici à Athènes , à la suite de l'appel de Pierre de Coubertin, fondateur des Jeux Olympiques moderne. Le monde vous honore et vous remercie surtout ce soir pour l'organisation des Jeux, de retour à leur source. - Tonight the whole world is paying Greece a triple homage. Humanity owes you this marvelous adventure that is the Olympic Games, created 28 centuries ago in Olympia. The world is also honoring you for having revived these Games in 1896, here in Athens, following the call of Pierre de Coubertin, founder of the modern Olympic Games. Above all, the world is honoring and thanking you tonight for the organization of the Games, which are coming back to their roots.
- [IOC President Rogge has switched to English much to our relief]
- Self - IOC President: Our warmest thanks to Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki and her enthusiastic team. Our thanks also go to the Greek public authorities, who have created an urban legacy that has transformed Athens. Thank you to everyone who has supported the Olympic Games, and special thanks to the wonderful volunteers, without whom... thanks to the wonderful volunteers without whom nothing would be possible. Our world today is in need for peace. Athletes, I turn to you now. This is the moment you deserve to enjoy, the culmination of your hard work and dedication. Athletes, through your conduct, give us reasons to believe in sport that is increasing credible and pure, by refusing doping and respecting fair play. We need peace. We need tolerance. We need brotherhood. Athletes from the 202 countries, show us that sport unites by overriding national, political, religious and language barriers. May the Games be held in peace, in the true spirit of the Olympic truce that was created here.
- [Speaking Greek]
- Self - IOC President: Efcharistoúme, Athína. Efcharistoúme, Elláda. - Thank you, Athens! Thank you, Greece! Écho tóra tin timí na kaléso ton Próedro tis Ellinikís Dimokratías. Na kirýxei tin Énarxi ton Agónon. - I have the honor of inviting the President of the Hellenic Republic. To announce the opening of the Games.
- [IOC President Jacques Rogge introduces the official head of state, the President of the Hellenic Republic Constantinos Stephanopoulos, who will declare the Games of the XXVIII Olympiad in Athens, the Olympic Homecoming]
- [At the stands in the VIP box, the President of the Hellenic Republic, Constantinos Stephanopoulos at the microphone stand, accompanied by the Adjutant to the President of the Hellenic Air Force Colonel Georgios Dritsakos, to declare open the Olympic Games in Greek]
- Self - President of the Hellenic Republic: Kirýsso tin énarxi ton Olympiakón Agónon tis Athínas... kai ton eortasmó tis 28is Olympiádos tis sýnchronis epochís. - I declare open the Olympic Games of Athens... and the celebration of the XXVIII Olympiad of the modern era.
- [President Stephanopoulos declared the opening of the Olympic Games of Athens, celebrating the XXVIII Olympiad of the modern era. The IOC Members, IOC Vice Presidents, and foreign dignitaries applauded. The bells are starting to ring representing the five continents of the Olympic rings]