Oly: Greece's festive farewell to "dream" Games

AAP General News (Australia)
08-30-2004
Oly: Greece's festive farewell to "dream" Games

With a colourful mix of traditional song and dance, Greece has farewelled the Olympics
and invited the world to Beijing in 2008.

A two-hour spectacle has capped off a successful return of the Games to their spiritual
homeland, after fears Athens wouldn't be ready in time to host them.

Bright lights, loud music, vibrant costumes and Greek food aplenty from harvest to
feast got the party started.

Five of Greece's best known singers, HARIS ALEXIOU, DIMITRA GALANI, MARINELLA, GEORGE
DALARAS and YIANNIS PARIOS performed from within a giant spiral wheat field.

The medals winners from the men's marathon which finished shortly before were presented
with their medals by International Olympic Committee president JACQUES ROGGE.

Only 160 of Australia's 482 athletes marched in the opening ceremony but most of the
team have joined the closing celebration.

AAP RTV sal/nh/lma

KEYWORD: OLY CLOSE (ATHENS)

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