The opening ceremony will be on Friday 13 August. 10,500 athletes from 199 countries will compete in 28 Olympic sports.

The Greek government has spent more than $1.2bn on security to try to ensure the Games pass off safely, despite the threat of international terrorism.

Is the Olympics the greatest sports show on Earth? Will you be watching? What are the main challenges facing the Olympics and have these been overcome?

We will be discussing the Olympic Games in our global phone-in programme, Talking Point, on Sunday 15 August at 1400GMT. If you would like to take part in the programme please include your telephone number. This will not appear on the site.

The following comments reflect the balance of opinion we have received so far:

The games are a great opportunity for festivities and celebration Krystallia, Athens, Greece

I'm look forward to the Olympics. I am staying in Athens this summer and the games are a great opportunity for festivities and celebration. They are also a chance for nations to meet, compete, discover other countries and make friends from everywhere.
Krystallia, Athens, Greece

I'm looking forward to it immensely. A breath of fresh air to witness real determination, motivation and spirit from humans during a time when other humans are behaving so dreadfully.
Tom Franklin, London, UK

No, because the BBC will cancel Neighbours for the duration....
Hayley Dunaroomup, Eastleigh, Hampshire, UK

I am really looking forward to the Olympics. It will take my mind off the terrible things that are going on in the world, if only for a little while. I do think it is the greatest sports show on Earth.
Hafsa, Missouri, USA

I'll be ignoring the Olympics. Thank god for digital TV and it's sport-free channels. At least this time I won't be subjected to ego-ridden athletes and their 'achievements'.
Christy, Newcastle, UK

It's amazing to see the strength of human spirit Janis, Tucson, AZ USA

I like to watch the opening ceremonies. The Sydney Olympics marked the first time the Koreans came together under the same flag. It was a wonderful moment. Also, I remember when there was a swimmer from Africa who was miles behind the competition and had heart enough to gut it out and finish his event. Those are the reasons I tune in to the Olympics, not for blind nationalism or arrogance. It's amazing to see the strength of human spirit, and disappointing to read so many posts by those who can't see beyond the commercialism and scandal. Those things are certainly present, but we only perpetrate them by buying into the negative hype. Tune in for just a minute or two. You might regain your faith. That's what I'm hoping for, anyway.
Janis, Tucson, AZ USA

At last something more interesting than football...
Julien, UK

What makes the Olympics so special is the golden opportunity they represent for unknown athletes from poor or small nations to shine on global stage. This is their glorious moment to proudly represent their country and it's citizens. No amount of negative behaviour from a corrupt few athletes can ever diminish the significance of Olympics to world-wide audiences and the majority of honest competing athletes.
Bob P, San Diego, CA, USA

The opening ceremony and the closing ceremony will do for me. What goes on in between is just boring.
Andy, Leeds, UK

I think the Olympics are great. This year makes it even better since it is being held in Greece - the home of the Olympics. The Greek people have done a wonderful job with security and preparing for the Olympics. I wish the athletes from all countries good luck and hope they enjoy themselves.
Dennis, St. Louis, MO USA

Send a message to the terrorist elements that the show will go on Bob P, San Diego, CA, USA

No doubt that the continuing threat of terrorism has certainly put a dampen on the Olympic spirit this year. Precisely because of the existence of such a threat, the world-wide audiences should make the 2004 Summer Olympics a historical viewing success to send a message to the terrorist elements that the world population will not be intimidated by their cowardly actions and the "show will go on". I certainly intend to!
Bob P, San Diego, CA, USA

I have and will continue to boycott the Olympics based on the fact that they will not recognise Squash as an official sport. How then, did synchronised swimming get in?
Ollie, London

I'll be watching the mountain biking and canoeing. But like everything in the world it seems that corporations have an iron grip on the whole competition - I was amazed to read that anyone wearing a logo by anyone other than an official sponsor won't be allowed into the grounds! What kind of message is that to give to young sportspeople? Conform or perish...
Tim, Nottingham, UK

Kamarudin, Malaysia (below) - I'm offended that you claim that only "western" athletes take drugs. Perhaps you missed 18 members of the Chinese swimming team failing drugs tests? Drugs are a global problem, not a western one.
Peter, Nottingham, UK

Despite the corruption, the drugs, the rampant commercialism, and political grandstanding, it's one of the few things in life in which - regardless of race, religion, or politics - the whole world seems to be able to unify to some extent in a positive and uplifting spirit of universal co-operation. Which is what they're supposed to be all about. In the current, morbid, global climate it's what the world definitely needs more of. For that reason alone, I say bring 'em on!
David Kersten, Singapore

For the first time ever I will actually know someone who is competing in them for Great Britain! Karl Grover, Wokingham, England, UK

I am looking forward to these Olympics because for the first time ever I will actually know someone who is competing in them for Great Britain! He is Simon Mason, the GB hockey goalkeeper, who is my girlfriend's step brother. So I will definitely be watching and cheering on the hockey!!
Karl Grover, Wokingham, England, UK.

Good grief, what a lot of kill joys! It's 'just' sport for sure, but that's no reason to take away from the physical achievements of all of these athletes. At its best, the Olympics can be about supporting your team without being jingoistic and celebrating the fact that all people from all walks of life, from all countries can achieve greatness. Besides that, it's also a great excuse for an enormous party, so stop being so glass half-empty!
Katherine, London, UK

Every Olympics in history has been better than the last, this is the opinion voiced by the IOC president at the end of every Olympics. That is except Atlanta. Is Athens to become the second Olympics to be considered worse than the last? Athletes taking drugs and organisers planning the construction of the venues have attempted to make this so - what a mess!
Anon, Newbury, Berks

Yes! I love the Olympics, especially the gymnastics, diving and swimming. We don't often get the chance to watch these sports on TV, it will make a pleasant change from football and cricket.
Fiona, Dumbarton

Many athletes train day in, day out, with no recognition of their sport Rebecca, Cambridge, England

Absolutely! The Olympics are a chance to watch people who compete in a sport they love without earning the wages of millionaire footballers. Many athletes train day in, day out, with no recognition of their sport. The Olympics are their chance to show the wider world what they can achieve.
Rebecca, Cambridge, England

I turn to rock n' roll if i want to watch egotistical, drug using, selfish people; so I've no need for the Olympics.
Rico, Sheffield, England

I'm very excited about the Olympics. This year, at least on American TV, they will be able to broadcast every sport. It will be a two week marathon of the world' greatest athletes. How can you not look forward to it?
Tim, Bethesda, MD, USA

I find it funny that people who normally care nothing about sports suddenly get all excited because it's The Olympics -- suddenly you are gripped by shot-put, or synchronised swimming or the triple jump. Why???
Abby O'Neil, Daventry

Definitely looking forward to the opening and closing ceremonies. Hope that's a spectacular event.
Mohammad Mehdi, London

These Olympics are the pinnacles of sport Scott, Minneapolis, USA

I'm very excited for the Olympics and I won't let pretentious cynicism spoil it for me. Steroid usage is sad, but cheating has always happened in competitive events; ancient Greek wrestling referees carried a whip to deal with biters. I agree that commercialism has diminished the experience for spectators, however, no commercialism, no televised sports. These Olympics are the pinnacles of sport. They are the contests to determine which individuals have the best abilities. FIFA, Basketball, Baseball and even my beloved Football are fun to watch and play, but compared to the Olympics, they're irrelevant.
Scott, Minneapolis, USA

It will just be another big advertisement for companies like Coca Cola and McDonalds. Zzz.
Julie, Newcastle

I always look forward to the Olympic Games. It's the only opportunity I get here in the US to watch something other than football, basketball or baseball...speaking of boring. I want to see real athletes like wrestlers, swimmers, gymnasts and decathletes.
Jim, NJ, USA

I won't be watching the Olympics like I once did. There are now too many additional "sports" none of which are worthy of this once great event. The Olympics used to be all about which man/woman was best...get rid of the pointless sports and the team events and return to the original events and it may be worth watching.
Bill, Manchester, UK

The only thing I look forward to is seeing an amateur athlete from a relatively poor, developing country put one over on the biologically engineered "machines" that western countries seem to enter.
Pete, UK

Sport should bring the world together Mark, Belgium

Looking at the comments I am so disappointed that even the Olympics are connected with the present US wars and security. I am looking forward to these events to get my mind off these things for just a short period. Sport should bring the world together and should be not involved in politics.
Mark, Belgium

To tell the truth, I completely forgot this was an Olympic year. Shows you how high up they are on my agenda!
Ryan, New Orleans, USA

The Olympics are just like any other sporting event - blown way out of proportion. They are just as relevant in today's society as video games. People play, have fun, and that's it. They mean nothing else.
Joseph Wojciechowski, New Jersey, USA

I'm afraid I find 90% of events extremely boring and see the Games as quite overrated and a waste of money.
Craig, Glasgow

No! Many people around here where I am do not care about the Olympics. I don't care either. We are just watching our baseball, soon football, and all soccer. I can't wait until the FIFA World Cup 2006.
Ishmail, Boston, USA

It is no more the greatest sports show on earth because practically all the western athletes are cheating by taking illegal drugs which are difficult to detect in order to boost their physical strength. They are more concerned about monetary gain after the games are over in order to take advantage of the lucrative sponsorship waiting for them from big sporting corporations.
Kamarudin, Malaysia

The Olympics used to be about dedicated athletes, doing their best. Its now all about big ego's, cheating, and its whole structure is corrupt. What a complete waste of time and money.
Mark H, UK

It's a big party and everybody is invited Mike Proust, Amsterdam , Netherlands

Yes of course! It's a big party and everybody is invited! I'll be watching as much as I can! The main challenges facing the Olympics are: preventing global companies taking over and keeping steroids out (or perhaps allowing them).
Mike Proust, Amsterdam , Netherlands

Not really. It is such a corporate power fest that it does leave me feeling a little numb. The whole Olympic movement is like some Bond movie villainous empire. Its about money, power & politics. I would like to thank the BBC for its recent documentary which scratched at the surface of what we all know about the Olympics.
Roger Morgan Freedlan, Whitwick England

As a Greek living in the States, I'm extremely proud the Olympics are being held back in the motherland. I've no doubt it will be an incredible historic event and am grateful I can be a part of it.
Tina Ruiz, Alexandria, US

It is the only major sporting event that the USA actually competes with the rest of the World. Why don't they take the World's sport 'Soccer' more seriously?
Anon, Newbury, Berks

Why do people invest so much attention and emotion in the athletic achievements of others? Win or lose, those athletic efforts have nothing to do with you - you are just sitting on your backside. I prefer to pursue my own achievements rather than passively watch others become champions.
Matt, Boston, US

It clears any marginally interesting programmes off and replaces them with 5 channels of people saying the same thing Stephen Mortimer, Reading, UK

To be honest I couldn't care less. I have had it up to the neck with sports coverage on the television. It clears any marginally interesting programmes off and replaces them with 5 channels of people saying the same thing. Tedious.
Stephen Mortimer, Reading, UK

I am very much looking forward to the Olympics, however I am not looking forward to the nationalistic jingoism that always comes along with it. The people who win are individuals who, if asked, will tell you that they run for themselves and not for any sense of national ride, and yet we insist on counting medals 'won' by various countries, play national anthems etc.
Kate Corwyn,

No, not at all. I have every expectation that the US team will be greeted with derision from America/Bush hating Europe, especially in Greece. What Europeans think of us sure doesn't keep me up at night, but I appreciate it's hard for athletes to compete in such an environment. I hope to be proven wrong.
Peter C. Kohler, Washington DC USA

I have absolutely no interest in the Olympics. Once the idea of "the amateur" was taken out of the picture, the Olympics lost some of there zeal. Added that a country's boundaries no longer stop athletes from participation in professional sports all over the world - the Olympics seem boring. In the old days when the Olympics were the only time you could see athletes from the Communist bloc - there was intrigue, it's just not there anymore.
Mike Daly, Miami, Fl - USA

Be gracious hosts to all the competitors, please Shawn, Washington, DC, USA

I am looking forward to watching the Games, but having lived in Greece for a year, I'm aware if the Greeks' political nature. I am worried they will react childishly and with poor sportsmanship to athletes from certain countries, especially the USA. I hope they keep in mind American athletes do not create US foreign policy and are there to enjoy the experience. Be gracious hosts to all the competitors, please.
Shawn, Washington, DC, USA

Yes I cant wait to see the Olympics! I am sure that it will be free of terrorism because the Greek government has done a wonderful job getting this monumental task on track. I think we have more to worry about drug use with athletes then we have to about Osama. Lets remember the Munich and Atlanta games but lets no dwell on them.
Bryan , Providence, USA

A definite no! A resolution helped by not being a couch potato and not having a television. Remember when people talked to each other and played sport, not stayed indoors watching it?
Michael Scott, London

All it takes is having the most inventive biochemists who can beat the testing Mark, USA

Another ode to steroids. It used to take professional athletes disguised as amateurs to win. Now all it takes is having the most inventive biochemists who can beat the testing.
Mark, USA

I've always enjoyed watching the Olympics and viewed them as the greatest sporting event. I was a volunteer during the 1984 Games in LA and thoroughly enjoyed meeting people from around the world. Politics and medal results aside, it's the international gathering of people for competition and peace is what the makes the Olympic games such a success for humanity.
John, Los Angeles, California

I will watch gymnastics and that's about it. I find the winter games much more exciting.
Jaime, Overland Park, KS USA

I do look forward to the Olympic Games it is the one time the world comes together in a friendly competition. I wish all the athletes good luck on their personal quest and a special good luck to the USA team and to the Iraq team for a change they can compete without fear of what may happen if they don't perform to a certain level, I hope they enjoy themselves for a change.
John Crane, Houston Texas, USA