Athens 2004
13th Aug 2004 – 29th Aug 2004
About
The Olympic Games returned to Athens in 2004, 108 years after the Greek capital hosted the first modern Olympic Games in 1896 and in the birthplace of the ancient Olympics.
Ireland's most notable performance came in showjumping, where Cian O'Connor and Waterford Crystal initially claimed gold. However, the result was subsequently annulled following a doping violation involving the horse. Unfortunately, Kevin Babbington's fine 4th place finish was overshadowed in the controversy.
Elsewhere, cyclist Ciaran Power rode strongly in the Men's road race to finish 13th in a field where he was one of the few riders not under a cloud of suspicion of doping. Alastair Cragg finished in 12th place in the Men's 5000m. Race walker Robert Heffernan also delivered a strong showing before being controversially disqualified.
