The first crucial milestone in the Athens bid was the visit of the Evaluation Commission of the IOC. During their four-day stay in the Greek capital, the IOC representatives were extensively informed on all 19 points included in the Bid File and posed over 600 questions.

The President of the Evaluation Commission, ex-Olympic gold medalist in fencing Dr. Thomas Bach and the 18 members had meetings with President Constantine Stephanopoulos and Prime Minister Constantine Simitis.

The IOC Commission was received at the "Athens 2004" headquarters in the Zappio Megaro by it's President Gianna Angelopoulou-Daskalaki and it's members, the Mayor of Athens Dimitris Avramopoulos, the President and the members of the Hellenic Olympic Committee, the IOC members in Greece Nikos Filaretos and Lambis Nikolaou, the Minister for Environment Costas Laliotis, the Minister for Culture Vangelis Venizelos, the Deputy Minister for Sport Andreas Fouras and other officials.

Athens 2004. One goal uniting all Athenians and all Greeks. The bid of Athens enjoys nationwide acceptance and support among our citizens. It has assumed the magnitude of a national objective, and all those responsible for the Campaign are working diligently to make it come true.

The governing political party as well as those of the opposition in the Greek Parliament have voiced their support for the bid and are fully behind the Bid Committee and the overall effort.

All 300 Members of the Greek Parliament, from five different parties, have joined the Greek people in embracing the candidacy. This kind of political unanimity guarantees the unimpeded development of the effort and the harmonious cooperation of all bodies involved in the bid.

Athens, a modern, lively and hospitable city, is preparing with knowledge and efficiency to welcome the athletes from all over the world in 2004.