Kentucky Man Shares His Life-Changing ‘Olympic’ Experience in Greece

The 2024 Summer Olympics are underway in Paris, France and, like always, I will be glued to my television for the duration. I have been a rabid fan of the Olympics since I was a kid.  Heck, I remember begging a babysitter to let me watch the opening ceremonies of the 1980 Winter Olympic Games. The obsession is real and it has endured throughout my lifetime.

Imagine how excited I was to visit Athens, Greece last summer and get to visit Panathenaic Stadium, the site of the first modern Olympics back in 1896. The stadium, by the way, remains the only stadium in the world constructed completely of marble. Being an Olympic fan, I had always read about it. Last July, on a blistering day when most of the tourist attractions in Athens were closed due to excessively oppressive heat, I got to visit!

It was everything I imagined. Magnificent. Awe-inspiring. Olympic!

Back in 1896, the stadium was the site of four of the nine sports that were part of the very first Olympic games.

Back in 2004, when Athens again hosted the Summer Olympics, Panathenaic Stadium was the site of the archery competition and the finish line for the men's and women's marathons.

Back then, like it does now, it offers exceptional views of Athens. You can see the Acropolis from virtually every seat in the stands.

I think my favorite photo op is the one on the stadium floor. Naturally, there's a medal podium and I climbed to the gold medal spot.

If you plan to visit Greece, you have to make Athens part of your itinerary and you MUST visit the site of the first modern Olympics.

And speaking of the Olympics, I am ready to enjoy the Paris Games! Yesterday, I printed off the 2024 Olympic TV Guide. It was 101-pages long. I have already combed through it and I am ready to grab my remote control and go for the gold!