12 DAYS TO GO - ITU DIARY FROM ATHENS: Where do we begin to describe the experience of being in the stadium for last nights Opening Ceremonies? Perhaps with the stadium.

The famous Spanish architech Santiago Calatrava has designed a massive piece of art, which functions as a theatre for these Games. The cost of the design and construction was beyond anyone’s imagination, but it is like commissioning Picasso to paint a work of art to give meaning to a communities culture rather than a less artistically valuable item.

The highlight of the evening is always the parade of nations, which in itself took almost 2 hours. It is the largest number of countries to ever compete in the Olympic Games at 202.

The number of triathletes in the Opening Ceremonies was also wonderful, and although we were not able to pick each of them out, we predict that the energy that surged through their soul as they took in the sights, sounds and feelings in the stadium will return in 12 days when they are at a critical moment of having to dig just a little deeper.

The parade showcasing the historical periods of the Greek people was like a slow magic walk through time, and a wonderful artistic portrayal of the vast culture of this land. A video of the parade should be a compulsory part of every student's history class.

Marton Simitsek, Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer of ATHOC stood bidding farewell to everyone as they left the Stadium. The width of his smile was directly proportional to the pride that was welling up within.

Transportation reared its ugly head as the on-going nightmare of the Games, both for organizers and athletes. Your faithful ITU Team in Athens did not get home from the Opening Ceremonies until 3:00 a.m., due to time spent waiting for buses and taxies to bring us to our hotel in Vouliagmeni, normally a 30 minutes drive from the centre of Athens. Still it was not enough to dampen the enthusiasm created by the Opening Ceremonies or for our approaching Olympic Games Triathlon.

BEST WISHES FROM GREG WELCH: A long time friend and hero of our sport, Greg Welch writes: “Hi Les and Loreen, Leslie too and the rest of the ITU team in Athens…..I write my best wishes letter to you from San Diego eagerly anticipating the Triathlon.

I would love for you to send on my best wishes to the Athletes of the second Olympic race. To you guys, your the best, what can I say, you have stuck with it for years and this is all about you guys, I know Michel Gignoux would concur.

Have a great time and enjoy, you deserve it. Your Aussiemate, Greg

COUNTDOWN TO ATHENS TRIATHLON. Brian Hinton, ITU Executive Board arrived in Athens on Thursday and writes: four years of planning, strategy, training, intense competition, Olympic Selection races, and huge determination are coming to fruition for 100 of the world's best men and women triathletes.

Following the success of the Sydney Olympic Triathlons, the competition for an Olympic berth has greatly intensified with all World Cup finishes being tightly contested, and with more individual podium finishes from a wider variety of countries.

Women's Race – Wednesday August 25: 26 different flags are represented in the women’s race, with Argentina, Colombia, Kazakhstan, and Portugal being represented for the first time. 14 athletes line up for their second Olympics

Men's Race – Thursday August 26: 25 country flags are represented in the men's race, with Bermuda, Estonia, Hong Kong, Mexico, and Russia being represented for the first time. 16 athletes compete in their second Olympic triathlon.

30 of the Sydney Olympians are returning, including both Gold medal winners: Brigitte McMahon of Switzerland and Simon Whitfield from Canada to defend their medals. Other second time Olympians are absolutely determined to improve on their Sydney performance. The hungry and enthusiastic new aspirants will hotly pursue these Olympic veterans. The excellent standard of these Olympic athletes means that very many have a real medal chance if their race comes together on August 25 and August 26.

The racing will be hotly contested over the hot, humid and hilly course at Vouliagmeni. Over the next 10 days triathlon.org will keep you informed on the preparations for the race, the athlete and National Teams progress, pictures, athlete updates, course information etc.

Go to www.triathlon.org/profiles/prof-list-elite-olympic.htm for up to date profiles on all the athletes in the Olympic Games Triathlon.