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Athens After 1896’s first modern ere Olympic games it was the second time that the Olympic games were celebrated in Athens, Greece. In was the first time that all the Olympic committee member countries took part in the games. A record of 10,625 players accompanied by 5,501 officials from 201 countries took part in the games in 28 sports’ 301 various events. Games started from August of 13^th and closing ceremony was held on 29^th of August. In these games United States once again dominated in the medal telly by winning 36 medals and was closely followed by China and Russia. Two new countries who participated first time in the games were Kiribati and Timor-Leste. Afghanistan re-appeared in the games.

Archers India had sent a large delegation to participate in the Athens Olympic games. India had emerged as a great power in the event of archery and shooting as they had won most of the recent international events related to these games. But they could not live up to the expectations and only Lt.Col.Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore could won a Silver medal in men’s double trap shooting that was the only medal won by the Indians in the 2004’s Athens Olympic games. Indian archers and shooters could have increased the medal telly but they could not do so because of climate difference and windy conditions in Athens. In men and women’s individual archery events all the Indian competitors did well but could won no medal. Satyadev Prasad(10^th place) and Reena Kumari (15^th ) performed well. In team events men and women ended with 11^th and 8^th places respectively.

Athletics In athletics Indians showed some improvement as compared to the previous games . K. Mathews Binu performed well and succeeded to reach the semifinal of men’s 400 meter’s race. Women’s 4 x 400 meters relay team ended with the seventh place in the final. Women long jumper Anju Bobby George kept Indian’s hopes of wining a medal alive but ended with the sixth place in the final. Indian due of Mahesh Bhupathi and Leander Paes ended with the fourth position in men’s doubles tennis. Rest of the Indian players’ performance was average in their respective games. Indian hockey team once again disappointed the fans as they ended with the 7^th position. But Athens games had revealed one thing that Indians are an emerging power in the games of archery and shooting. They missed some of the medals because of windy conditions but this time story will be different from the past as in China climate conditions are similar to India.