VENUE FACTFILE Events: Archery, marathon finish Athletes: Archery 128, Marathon 180 Spectators: Archery 7,500, Marathon 34,500 Schedule: 15-21 Aug (Archery), 22 Aug (Women's marathon), 29 Aug (Men's marathon) Paralympic event: Marathon finish (26 Sept) Enlarge Image

Also known as Kallimarmaro, the venue is where the first modern Games were held and where Greek runner Spyros Louis became the first marathon winner.

The stadium in central Athens was originally cut into a hillside by the ancient Greeks - creating a narrow arena which is open at one end.

It will play host to the finishes of both marathon races.

The marathon, which will be run over its original course to Panathinaiko, is due to finish around dusk with 35,000 spectators cheering in the floodlit stadium, with the ruins of the Temple of Zeus opposite and the Acropolis nearby.

The venue boasts a long track record of staging sporting events - the area where the stadium stands today hosted much of the Panathenan Games in ancient times, held to honour Greek goddess Athena.

It is not vastly different from those days, but has been upgraded and modified for the 2004 Games.