Olympic Stadium

VENUE FACTFILE

Events: Opening and closing ceremonies, athletics, football

Athletes: 2,000

Spectators: 72,000

Schedule: 13 Aug (Opening ceremony), 20-29 Aug (Athletics), 28 Aug (Football), 29 Aug (Closing ceremony)

Paralympic event: Opening ceremony (17 Sept), Athletics (19-27 Sept)
Closing Ceremony (28 Sept)

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The centrepiece of the Athens Olympics has been a symbol of the problems besetting the city's preparations.

Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava planned an ambitious glass and steel roof that fell hugely behind schedule and held up other work on the stadium.

The 'Calatrava Roof' structure had been expected to be fully in place by the end of April.

But because of delays the stadium may now not be finished until 12 August - a day before the Games starts.

The only test event - the Greek national championships - was staged in June and went off without a hitch, even though the area around the stadium was still rubble.