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These words are scattered all over Athens, part of the promotional campaign for these Olympics. Greece is the home of the ancient Olympic Games, and also hosted the first modern Olympic Games in 1896. In speeches by Greek sports leaders, they call this the “birthplace of athleticism.

For an athlete, the Opening Ceremonies have special meaning. That is, if the athlete is able to participate..

The activity takes all day, starting with an early departure from the Athlete Village, a long period of waiting prior to entering the stadium and then another long wait standing on the field with thousands of other athletes from all over the world. There are 80,000 fans in the stands, and the attention of the world is right on you at that very instant.

It is pretty easy to learn where some of the fans come from at an Opening Ceremony. Many are wearing shirts and other such outfits that have their country's name all over it. Others have flags with them. And others are dressed just like anybody else, but when their nation enters the stadium, it is easy to tell where they come from.

For an American, watching the U.S. team enter the stadium is very exciting. The delegation is led by the “flagbearer” who was elected by the Olympic team to carry the flag and lead the entire team during its march. This year, the flagbearer was women's basketball star Dawn Staley. (For a wrestler, I still can't match the pride I felt in Atlanta when Bruce Baumgartner carried the American flag in the Opening Ceremonies).

Entering the stadium has an affect on the athletes as well. Patricia Miranda, who is often very focused and detailed in the preparation for competition, really felt something different when she went through the process of participating in Opening Ceremonies. According to Miranda, this was very “touching,” and for the first time she allowed herself to let the magnitude “sink in.” She realized at that point that her status as an Olympian had great meaning to others.

With over 530 athletes, the U.S. delegation is more than 1/20th of the entire Olympic Games field. The blue colored uniforms were hard to miss in the march of nations. At one point, walking behind Staley, the U.S. team stretched from one end of the stadium all the way to the other end, with still some athletes to come. Team USA is large, a major force on the Olympic scene, something to be proud of.

However, there are many athletes who have to compete on Day 1 (Saturday, August 14) and have to choose between marching in the ceremony and staying back to rest and prepare for action.

The spectators at the Olympics are there for many reasons. As one of the lucky people able to secure a seat in the stadium, I was surrounded by many people. A few of the other press officers from other sports were in my row (we got our tickets from the same source). To my left were the parents of Rhadi Ferguson, a member of the judo team.

And who would ever guess that in the seat right in front of me (one over), was 2003 USA Wrestling Man of the Year Set Agonian, who came from New York City to attend the Olympic Games. We traveled across the ocean to a far away land, to sit four feet from each other at the Olympic Opening Ceremony.

USOC Invited all the NOCs and IOC representatives to breakfast reception before the grand oppening ceremony. Introduced was the new leadership of USOC's leggentery president Peter Ueberroth and the newly elected executive board. This breakfast was organized by James Scherr, USOC CEO, and Greg Harney, USOC managing director of international affairs.

Peter Ueberroth, USOC President welcoming the NOC and IOC Members and introducing the new USOC Board of Directors

Prior to the Olympic Opening Ceremonies on August 13th in Athens, NYAC Member Setrak Agonian (left) presented a copy of the expanded "From Vision To Victory" to the new USOC president Peter Ueberroth. The book by Fred Jarvisdetails the U.S. contributions to the Olympic Games from 1896 through 1952, and 500 copies were presented to members of the IOC and many NOC members as well. It was printed by the NYAC as a gift from its members to the Olympic movement

James Scherr, USOC CEO Giving a speach

Mrs. Wendy Hilliard, Director of All Sports NYC2012; Royal Prince Albert from Monaco, NOC ; Mr. Setrak Agonian, President MWA;

L-R: Jair Lynch, USOC Board Member; Anita Defrantz, US IOC Member; Wendy Hilliard, Director of All Sports NYC2012; and other NOC Members;

James Scherr, USOC CEO; Peter Ueberroth, USOC President; expressing thans to the Slovak NOC, Franchises Hmelar, for sitting the 2003 World Championship in Wrestling

There is a point, during the Opening Ceremonies, when the Games are officially declared open. We have reached that point and have moved into the actual Olympic Games. Everything else was preparation. Now we have competition.

What a difference a day makes! On Friday morning, the Olympics were still coming up. By Saturday morning, the Games had begun. It all changed with the Opening Ceremonies.

Paul George, Former Vice President of USOC; Setrak Agonian, President MWA; Greg Harney, USOC Director of International Affairs;

Carl Dambman, Olympic Chaplain; and Setrak Agonian, President MWA; enjoying the Gimnastics Event;

Athen's new subway

Setrak Agonian and Mike Harney at the Central Subway Station, Athens Greece

Mike Harney, USOC's staff Patty Sturm, Kelly Maynard and Abigail Tompkins

Mike Baron and Mike Harney at the Basketball Games

Jair Lynch; USOC Board Member and Setrak Agonian in the hospitality room of NYC2012

L-R: Curt Hamakawa, USOC; Nikolay Borovkov, Deputy Director Moscow commettee; and Greg Harney, USOC managing director of international affears; Dr. Abdulla Elreyes, chef de Mission - UAE NOC; Setrak Agonian, President MWA;

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USOCs Headquorters was established on the cruiser ship "Renesans" next to many oceanliner ships from all over the world.

L-R: Mr. Greg Harney, USOC Managing Director of International Affairs; Mr. Andreas Potamianos, President Greek Passenger Shipowners Union; Mr. Setrak Agonian, President MWA


L-R: Sitting - Mr.& Mrs. Roland Betts; Mrs. Wendy Hilliard, Director of All Sports NYC2012
Standing - Alexander Garvin, Managing Director of Planning NYC2012; Setrak Agonian, President MWA;

L-R: USOC Sponsor Marriott Corp. JJ Doran, Director of International Business Development; James Scherr, USOC CEO; Chris Sullivan, USOC 2012 Bid Rep.


L-R: USOC Sponsor Marriott Corp. JJ Doran, Director of International Business Development; James Scherr, USOC CEO; Setrak Agonian, President MWA;