"What is the role of Media in the presentation of the world's largest pageant of athletic skill and competitive spirit, the Olympic Games that will held in Athens on year 2004?

Theoretical Background

History, literature and human experience, with their numerous examples that are prescribing deeply excellent human relations, have proved that the Olympics are transferring through the centuries a spirit of union, mutual support and communication between people. From the other hand media, with the new developments in communication technologies, are contributing for faster, more direct and more complete communication world-wide. Therefore it would be reasonable for someone to raise the question; "What is the role of media in the presentation of probably the most important Olympics after their revival, the Olympics that will held in Athens on 2004?"

It is strongly believed that the Olympic spirit and the Olympic ideal are fading slowly because of the commercialisation, the financial interests and nationalism. Athens has been chosen to host the 2004 Olympic Games not only because of the traditional hospitality of the Greeks and their friendly attitude towards visitors but also because it is believed that in Greece, Olympic Games will gain again the Olympic spirit they have lost through the years. And media play an important active role, not only in the transmission of the athletic events, but in the transmission of the Olympic ideal as well. Media have to prove not only their usefulness but also their necessity.

Methods

For this study it is important to reefer firstly to the history of the Olympic Games and what these Games were representing in ancient years as well as what they represent now. Then it should be given a general overview of the present media situation in Greece. That it would be useful in order to see the capacity of Greek media to host such a big event with all its economical and social aspects. During the research, examples will be drawn from previews years, to offer us precious information on the way media form themselves in front of the world's biggest sports festival - the Olympic Games.

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