Fireworks mark the beginning of the opening ceremony at the Olympic stadium in Athens, Greece, Friday, Aug. 13, 2004. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis (news))
A performer enters the stadium during the Opening Ceremony of the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Friday Aug. 13, 2004. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)
Performers are shown during the Opening Ceremony of the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Friday, Aug. 13, 2004.(AP Photo/Anja Niedringhaus)
France just entered to polite applause. The athletes were waving little French and Greek flags.
Was Vangelis in attendance or performing at all?
I cannot believe he was not selected to conduct, being the hometown boy and all. I was hoping he was one of tonight's surprises.
A performer dressed as a Centaur stands beneath a Cycladic head during the opening ceremony of the Athens 2004 Olympic Games August 13, 2004. REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach
An actor portraying Alexander the Great performs during the opening ceremony of the Athens 2004 Olympic Games, August 13, 2004. A spectacular opening ceremony launched the Athens Olympics on Friday, lifting spirits in the Games' ancient birthplace.REUTERS/Mike Blake
Performers representing figures from Greek mythology enter the stadium during the Opening Ceremony of the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Friday Aug. 13, 2004. (AP Photo/Laurent Rebours)
Artists symbolising ancient Greece perform during the opening ceremony of the Athens 2004 Olympic Games August 13, 2004. A spectacular opening ceremony launched the Athens Olympics on Friday, lifting spirits in the Games' ancient birthplace after the host nation was rocked by a drugs drama involving its two top sprinters. REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach
Artists symbolising ancient Greece perform during the opening ceremony of the Athens 2004 Olympic Games August 13, 2004. A spectacular opening ceremony launched the Athens Olympics on Friday, lifting spirits in the Games' ancient birthplace after the host nation was rocked by a drugs drama involving its two top sprinters.REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach