The 2004 Summer Olympics were held in Athens, Greece from August 13-29. Over 10,000 athletes from 201 countries participated in various sporting events over the 17-day period. The official mascots were Athena and Phoebus, named after ancient Greek gods. Athens was selected to host over Rome by a vote of 66 to 41 after previously losing the bid for the 1996 Centennial Olympics in Atlanta. An Olympic torch relay traveled through Greece and 33 other cities over 35 days before culminating on the opening day in Athens.