In 2004 the Olympic Games returned to Greece, the home of both the ancient Olympics and the first modern Olympics. For the first time ever a record 201 National Olympic Committees (NOCs) participated in the Olympic Games. The overall tally for events on the programme was 301 (one more than in Sydney 2000). Popularity in the Games reached soared to new highs as 3.9 billion people had access to the television coverage compared to 3.6 billion for Sydney 2000. Women"s wrestling was included in the program for the first time. Swimmer Michael Phelps won 6 gold medals and set a single-Games record with 8 total medals. Leontien Ziljaard-van Moorsel became the first female cyclist to earn 4 career gold medals and 6 total medals, while canoeist Birgit Fischer became the first athlete in any sport to win two medals in each of 5 Olympics. Runner Hicham El Guerrouj won both the 1,500m and the 5,000m, while on the women"s side Kelly Holmes triumphed in both the 800m and the 1,500m. In team play, Argentina won the men"s football tournament without giving up a goal, and the U.S. softball team won by outscoring their opponents 51-1.

201 NOCs (Nations)

10,625 athletes (4,329 women, 6,296 men)

301 events

45,000 volunteers

21,500 media

Medals by country