Olympic games end in Athens

Date: 29 Aug 2004
Updated: 30 Sep 2019

The International Olympic games, which were held in Athens, Greece, came to an end with a spectacular closing ceremony. The evening was started off with Greek music, dance and fireworks before the flame was extinguished and the flag lowered. The overall winner of the 2004 Games was the United States with 103 medals, followed by Russia with 92 and China, which is set to host the next Olympic competitions in 2008, with 63 medals. South Africa managed to win six medals, including one gold. The president of the International Olympic Committee, Jacques Rogge, praised Athens in a closing speech for the well organised Games.

Search events by date

What happened on your birthday?

How we know this

01BBBC SPORT,(2004),Greece bids Games farewell ,From BBC NEWS,29 August[online],Avaliable at www.news.bbc.co.uk [Accessed: 21 August 2013]
02Ross,S. and Martin,E.T.,(2004),Olympic Highlights:2004,from Fact Monster[online],Avaliable at www.factmonster.com[Accessed:21 August 2013]

Last updated · 30 Sep 2019

Cite this entry

South African History Online. (2011, March 16). Olympic games end in Athens. South African History Online. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0013585

South African History Online (2011) 'Olympic games end in Athens', South African History Online, 16 March. Available at: https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0013585 (Accessed: 24 September 2026).

South African History Online, Olympic games end in Athens [website], https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0013585, (accessed 24 September 2026).

"Olympic games end in Athens." South African History Online, 16 Mar. 2011, https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0013585. Accessed 24 Sept. 2026.

South African History Online. "Olympic games end in Athens." South African History Online. March 16, 2011. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0013585.