Giorgos Sabanis appeared at the 2004 Summer Olympics opening ceremony carrying a flag with an image of an olive branch symbolizing not only peace , but Athens itself , lapped around the stadium , symbolically crossing tape dedicated to the previous 27 Olympiads . He even symbolically stumbled and stopped for the 1916 , 1940 , and 1944 Games which were canceled due to world wars . He ended his run at the very center of the stadium , where Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki and Rogge were under the olive tree , symbolizing the Olympic 's current journey , from Athens to Athens
2004 Summer Olympics opening ceremony
2004 Summer Olympics opening ceremony
Giorgos Sabanis