Athens proved a watershed for IOC

Olympic president Jacques Rogge's hardline stance against drugs marked the Games as a watershed in the fight against doping in sport.

The critics, sceptics and doomsayers were left speechless by a spectacular Summer Olympics in 2004.

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The Olympic efforts of Athens crippled Greek finances but at the same time put the ancient city on the map as a modern European capital with sports facilities to match anywhere in the world.

Its August extravaganza - for years a cause for concern for Olympic chiefs - proved a heartwarming success.

Starting with a doping controversy and ending with a stripped gold medal, the Athens Games were not just a test of Olympic ability, they were also a test of the Olympian ideals.

It was not what the Greek organisers had planned but, rather than tainting the Games, Olympic president Jacques Rogge's hardline stance against drug cheats marked the Athens Games as a watershed in the fight against doping in sport.

Before the athletics had even begun, two of its potential heroes had disappeared in a cloud of shame.

The withdrawals of Greek 200 metres Sydney Olympics champion Costas Kenteris and his training partner 100 metres sprinter Katerina Thanou cast a shadow over the first week of the Games.