The media hordes – and I guess that includes me – started arriving for the opening ceremonies around noon. Cameramen from all over the world, setting up their equipment next to the many fountains inside the Athens Olympic Sports Complex, did their best to capture the hulking stadium and avoid shots of the never-ending rows of fences inside. By 2 p.m. volunteers distributing Olympic logoed boxes with opening ceremony give-aways finished up their work on the last set of bleachers and overzealous spectators were starting to arrive.

Two hours later the newly laid cement paths were filled with Canadians, Americans, Australians, English, Dutch, German and Korean fans walking through the 90-degree heat wrapped in their national flags, some with it painted on their faces.

“I haven’t seen anything yet and I’m loving this,” said Gus Vasilarakis, 39, wearing a giant Canada top hat and maple leaf t-shirt. Here with his 15-year-old son, Tony, Vasilarakis, who was born on a nearby Greek island, wasn’t missing the chance to show support for his adopted country, and hopefully get on TV at the same time. “I want my wife and daughter to be able to see us,” he said laughing.

Since Athens was announced as host city seven years ago, the native Greek planned to come to Athens and nothing, not even the steep ticket price – he paid 950 Euro a ticket – couldn’t deter him.

Janet and Malcolm Bath, clad head to toe in the Union Jack, flew in this morning only for the opening ceremonies and will leave Saturday morning on the first flight out. After putting their names on the waiting list for tickets two years ago, they entered the stadium four hours before the ceremony, refusing to take off their felt hats in the scorching sun.

“People have offered us twice what these tickets are worth,” said Malcolm, 53, clutching his colorful pass worth 500 Pounds.

As the opening ceremonies drew closer, the crowds grew denser. Official volunteers, sitting high up on chairs that looked like they were taken from a life guard station nearby, shouted into bullhorns, only increasing the feeling that something big was about to happen.

“This is a once in a lifetime opportunity,” said Vasilarakis. “I want to be nice and close to see it.”

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