Greece is preparing to welcome 160,000 athletes and over 4.5 million spectators, journalists, officials and judges in August, as the Olympic Games return home. They were first held in Olympia 2,780 years ago to try to bring peace and unity to the people of Greece.

Three kings - Ifitos of Elis, Cleosthenes of Pissa and Lykourgos of Sparta - took the advice of the famous Oracle at Delphi, and signed the Olympic Truce or 'Ekecheiria'. They agreed that every four years armies would lay down their arms and battles would cease, from seven days before until seven days after the Games. Time in Ancient Greece came to be calculated on the basis of this four-year interval, the 'Olympiad'. So the Olympics were not just about sport, but about peace, politics - and religion.

The Games were dedicated to the ancient Greek gods and were held in Olympia, close to the Temple of Zeus, the king of the gods - where the Olympic torch is still lit. The temple housed a 14-metre ivory and gold statue of Zeus that was one of the seven wonders of the ancient world.

Winners got just an olive wreath and the gods' blessings - but were glorified for the rest of their lives. The Games were held, every four years, for a thousand years, until 393AD, when they were banned as pagan by the Byzantine Emperor, Theodosius.

The Olympic Movement still places sport at the service of the harmonious development of humankind, working with culture and the environment.

The 2004 Olympic
marathon will be run along the route first run by a young messenger, Pheidippides, in 490 BC to bring news of the victory of the Athenians over the Persians. He ran all 42.195 kilometres - dying the moment he had passed on his message.

iOC Olympic Museum

Olga Serifis

I participated as a Volunteer for the Environment in the Archery Event at the Kallimarmaron Stadium, Athens, in August 2003, as I wanted professional experience. The Environment team was really friendly - we shared a common goal and tried to achieve the best results. Our responsibilities included controlling energy and water consumption, waste separation, plastic bottle recycling and keeping the site clean - invaluable experience.

The environment is a combination of natural and human factors that interact and affect the quality of life, the development of society and the ecological balance in general.

Although I am happy to join in wherever I'm needed, the Athens Olympic Games are very special. It's not just the work - it gives me a sense of pride in my country, Greece. I wanted to take part because the Olympics are coming home, to the country that gave birth to them, and to Athens, the city where they were revived in 1896. Working for the Athens Olympic Games is something I shall cherish for the rest of my life.

athoc / photo: k. vergas