Athens: A colourful and vibrant opening ceremony showcasing the rich cultural heritage of Greece marked the inauguration of the 28th Olympic Games at the magnificent Olympic stadium in Athens today (Aug 13, 2004).

The Games were declared open amidst thunderous cheers from the capacity crowd signalling the launch of the biggest-ever Games, which returned to its place of birth after more than a century.

The evening sky lit up with dazzling fireworks as the Games opened to herald the millenium's first Olympics in the presence of a host of dignitaries who have descended on this picturesque coastal city to witness the spectacle.

Competitive action will unfold in full throttle tomorrow (Aug 13, 2004) as over 11,000 athletes from 202 countries affiliated to the International Olympic Committee will battle for glory over the next two weeks, with powerhouses USA, China and Russia expected to maintain their supremacy.

The 17-day sporting extravaganza celebrating the human spirit will see competition in 37 disciplines setting the stage for new sporting heroes to emerge while some old ones will seek to reaffirm their supremacy.

After the brief speeches and formalities, the participating teams walked into the stadium amidst loud cheers from the spectators, many of whom had thronged the stadium well ahead of the scheduled start.