With 301 medal events involving 202 nations, the Athens Olympics will represent the high-water mark of the most important event on the sporting calendar.
Faster, higher, stronger -- the underlying athletic concept of the Olympics -- has been accompanied over the past 25 years by a trend towards bigger and bigger Games. In 1980 Moscow welcomed 5,200 men and women from 80 countries, competing in 21 sports.
Four years ago Sydney played host to 10,615 athletes from 199 nations in 28 sports, and 200,000 people including officials, vol-unteers and media representatives were accredited.
Jacques Rogge, president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), believes this so-called gigantism has gone far enough and has vowed to help organizing cities to cut costs.
"The Games have reached a critical size which may put their future success at risk if the size continues to increase," an IOC study commission on the issue reported in 2002.
Rogge, chief coordinator for the Sydney Games before becoming president, hopes cost reduction would allow cities in Latin America and Africa to host the Games.
Every additional athlete is estimated to cost Games organizers US$30,000, every additional journalist US$15,000.
"Steps must be undertaken and serious consideration given to effectively manage future growth, while at the same time preserving the attractiveness of the Games," the IOC said in 2002.
In 2000 it was decided not to introduce any new sports in Athens, although women wrestlers will take to the mat for the first time. In May, the IOC decided not to exclude any sports until 2012 but Rogge has put the 28 Olympic sports on notice that they risk being removed if they cannot prove their worth. A review of the Olympic program will be conducted soon after the Athens Games.
Softball, modern pentathlon and baseball narrowly avoided being expelled from the Olympic family two years ago and all three are aware they must look their best in Athens this month if they are to survive long-term.
Even officials in core Olympic sports such as fencing, shooting and weightlifting are concerned they could be pushed out of the Olympic family. The last sport to be removed was polo in 1936.
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