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Spooky Olympic stadiums of Athens

  • A man jogs near the "Agora" structure at the Athens Olympic complex, at the site of the Athens 2004 Olympic Games. July 27, 2014. (REUTERS/Yannis Behrakis)
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    Photos of the day - July 27, 2014

    A man jogs near the "Agora" structure at the Athens Olympic complex, at the site of the Athens 2004 Olympic Games. July 27, 2014. (REUTERS/Yannis Behrakis)
    REUTERS/Yannis Behrakis
  • The sun shines above the Agora structure at the Athens 2004 Olympic Complex in Athens July 27, 2014. Ten years after Greece hosted the world's greatest sporting extravaganza, many of its once-gleaming Olympic venues have been abandoned while others are used occasionally for non-sporting events such as conferences and weddings. For many Greeks who swelled with pride at the time, the Olympics are now a source of anger as the country struggles through a six-year depression, record unemployment, homelessness and poverty. Just days before the anniversary of the Aug. 13-29 Games in 2004, many question how Greece, among the smallest countries to ever host the Games, has benefited from the multi-billion dollar event. Picture taken July 27, 2014. REUTERS/Yannis Behrakis (GREECE - Tags: BUSINESS POLITICS SOCIETY SPORT TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY) ATTENTION EDITORS: PICTURE 01 OF 33 FOR WIDER IMAGE PACKAGE 'TEN YEARS ON - ATHENS' FADING OLYMPIC STADIUMS' TO FIND ALL IMAGES SEARCH 'BEHRAKIS KARAHALIS'
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    The sun shines above the Agora structure at the Athens 2004 Olympic Complex in Athens

    The sun shines above the Agora structure at the Athens 2004 Olympic Complex in Athens July 27, 2014. Ten years after Greece hosted the world's greatest sporting extravaganza, many of its once-gleaming Olympic venues have been abandoned while others are used occasionally for non-sporting events such as conferences and weddings. For many Greeks who swelled with pride at the time, the Olympics are now a source of anger as the country struggles through a six-year depression, record unemployment, homelessness and poverty. Just days before the anniversary of the Aug. 13-29 Games in 2004, many question how Greece, among the smallest countries to ever host the Games, has benefited from the multi-billion dollar event. Picture taken July 27, 2014. REUTERS/Yannis Behrakis (GREECE - Tags: BUSINESS POLITICS SOCIETY SPORT TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY) ATTENTION EDITORS: PICTURE 01 OF 33 FOR WIDER IMAGE PACKAGE 'TEN YEARS ON - ATHENS' FADING OLYMPIC STADIUMS' TO FIND ALL IMAGES SEARCH 'BEHRAKIS KARAHALIS'
    REUTERS
  • A commuter walks through the Agora structure at the Athens 2004 Olympic Complex in Athens July 25, 2014. Ten years after Greece hosted the world's greatest sporting extravaganza, many of its once-gleaming Olympic venues have been abandoned while others are used occasionally for non-sporting events such as conferences and weddings. For many Greeks who swelled with pride at the time, the Olympics are now a source of anger as the country struggles through a six-year depression, record unemployment, homelessness and poverty. Just days before the anniversary of the Aug. 13-29 Games in 2004, many question how Greece, among the smallest countries to ever host the Games, has benefited from the multi-billion dollar event. Picture taken July 25, 2014. REUTERS/Yannis Behrakis (GREECE - Tags: SOCIETY SPORT POLITICS BUSINESS) ATTENTION EDITORS: PICTURE 02 OF 33 FOR WIDER IMAGE PACKAGE 'TEN YEARS ON - ATHENS' FADING OLYMPIC STADIUMS' TO FIND ALL IMAGES SEARCH 'BEHRAKIS KARAHALIS'
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    A commuter walks through the Agora structure at the Athens 2004 Olympic Complex in Athens

    A commuter walks through the Agora structure at the Athens 2004 Olympic Complex in Athens July 25, 2014. Ten years after Greece hosted the world's greatest sporting extravaganza, many of its once-gleaming Olympic venues have been abandoned while others are used occasionally for non-sporting events such as conferences and weddings. For many Greeks who swelled with pride at the time, the Olympics are now a source of anger as the country struggles through a six-year depression, record unemployment, homelessness and poverty. Just days before the anniversary of the Aug. 13-29 Games in 2004, many question how Greece, among the smallest countries to ever host the Games, has benefited from the multi-billion dollar event. Picture taken July 25, 2014. REUTERS/Yannis Behrakis (GREECE - Tags: SOCIETY SPORT POLITICS BUSINESS) ATTENTION EDITORS: PICTURE 02 OF 33 FOR WIDER IMAGE PACKAGE 'TEN YEARS ON - ATHENS' FADING OLYMPIC STADIUMS' TO FIND ALL IMAGES SEARCH 'BEHRAKIS KARAHALIS'
    REUTERS
  • A general view of the former International Broadcasting Centre (IBC) for the Athens 2004 Olympics, which is now a shopping mall, near the Olympic Complex in Athens July 27, 2014. Ten years after Greece hosted the world's greatest sporting extravaganza, many of its once-gleaming Olympic venues have been abandoned while others are used for non-sporting events such as conferences and weddings. For many Greeks who swelled with pride at the time, the Olympics are now a source of anger as the country struggles through a six-year depression, record unemployment, homelessness and poverty. Just days before the anniversary of the Aug. 13-29 Games in 2004, many question how Greece, among the smallest countries to ever host the Games, has benefited from the multi-billion dollar event. Picture taken July 27, 2014. REUTERS/Yannis Behrakis (GREECE - Tags: BUSINESS POLITICS SPORT) ATTENTION EDITORS: PICTURE 26 OF 33 FOR WIDER IMAGE PACKAGE 'TEN YEARS ON - ATHENS' FADING OLYMPIC STADIUMS' TO FIND ALL IMAGES SEARCH 'BEHRAKIS KARAHALIS'
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    A general view of the former International Broadcasting Centre for the Athens 2004 Olympics in Athens

    A general view of the former International Broadcasting Centre (IBC) for the Athens 2004 Olympics, which is now a shopping mall, near the Olympic Complex in Athens July 27, 2014. Ten years after Greece hosted the world's greatest sporting extravaganza, many of its once-gleaming Olympic venues have been abandoned while others are used for non-sporting events such as conferences and weddings. For many Greeks who swelled with pride at the time, the Olympics are now a source of anger as the country struggles through a six-year depression, record unemployment, homelessness and poverty. Just days before the anniversary of the Aug. 13-29 Games in 2004, many question how Greece, among the smallest countries to ever host the Games, has benefited from the multi-billion dollar event. Picture taken July 27, 2014. REUTERS/Yannis Behrakis (GREECE - Tags: BUSINESS POLITICS SPORT) ATTENTION EDITORS: PICTURE 26 OF 33 FOR WIDER IMAGE PACKAGE 'TEN YEARS ON - ATHENS' FADING OLYMPIC STADIUMS' TO FIND ALL IMAGES SEARCH 'BEHRAKIS KARAHALIS'
    REUTERS
  • A taxi drives by fading Olympic rings which mark the Olympic Traffic Lane on an avenue leading to the Athens 2004 Olympic Complex in Athens July 26, 2014. Ten years after Greece hosted the world's greatest sporting extravaganza, many of its once-gleaming Olympic venues have been abandoned while others are used occasionally for non-sporting events such as conferences and weddings. For many Greeks who swelled with pride at the time, the Olympics are now a source of anger as the country struggles through a six-year depression, record unemployment, homelessness and poverty. Just days before the anniversary of the Aug. 13-29 Games in 2004, many question how Greece, among the smallest countries to ever host the Games, has benefited from the multi-billion dollar event. Picture taken July 26, 2014. REUTERS/Yannis Behrakis (GREECE - Tags: BUSINESS POLITICS SPORT TRANSPORT) ATTENTION EDITORS: PICTURE 25 OF 33 FOR WIDER IMAGE PACKAGE 'TEN YEARS ON - ATHENS' FADING OLYMPIC STADIUMS' TO FIND ALL IMAGES SEARCH 'BEHRAKIS KARAHALIS'
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    A taxi drives by fading Olympic rings which mark the Olympic Traffic Lane on an avenue leading to the Athens 2004 Olympic Complex in Athens

    A taxi drives by fading Olympic rings which mark the Olympic Traffic Lane on an avenue leading to the Athens 2004 Olympic Complex in Athens July 26, 2014. Ten years after Greece hosted the world's greatest sporting extravaganza, many of its once-gleaming Olympic venues have been abandoned while others are used occasionally for non-sporting events such as conferences and weddings. For many Greeks who swelled with pride at the time, the Olympics are now a source of anger as the country struggles through a six-year depression, record unemployment, homelessness and poverty. Just days before the anniversary of the Aug. 13-29 Games in 2004, many question how Greece, among the smallest countries to ever host the Games, has benefited from the multi-billion dollar event. Picture taken July 26, 2014. REUTERS/Yannis Behrakis (GREECE - Tags: BUSINESS POLITICS SPORT TRANSPORT) ATTENTION EDITORS: PICTURE 25 OF 33 FOR WIDER IMAGE PACKAGE 'TEN YEARS ON - ATHENS' FADING OLYMPIC STADIUMS' TO FIND ALL IMAGES SEARCH 'BEHRAKIS KARAHALIS'
    REUTERS
  • Broken seats are seen at the abandoned baseball stadium at the Hellenikon Olympic complex in Athens July 16, 2014. Ten years after Greece hosted the world's greatest sporting extravaganza, many of its once-gleaming Olympic venues have been abandoned while others are used occasionally for non-sporting events such as conferences and weddings. For many Greeks who swelled with pride at the time, the Olympics are now a source of anger as the country struggles through a six-year depression, record unemployment, homelessness and poverty. Just days before the anniversary of the Aug. 13-29 Games in 2004, many question how Greece, among the smallest countries to ever host the Games, has benefited from the multi-billion dollar event. Picture taken July 16, 2014. REUTERS/Yorgos Karahalis (GREECE - Tags: BUSINESS POLITICS SOCIETY SPORT TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY) ATTENTION EDITORS: PICTURE 07 OF 33 FOR WIDER IMAGE PACKAGE 'TEN YEARS ON - ATHENS' FADING OLYMPIC STADIUMS' TO FIND ALL IMAGES SEARCH 'BEHRAKIS KARAHALIS'
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    Broken seats are seen at the abandoned baseball stadium at the Hellenikon Olympic complex in Athens

    Broken seats are seen at the abandoned baseball stadium at the Hellenikon Olympic complex in Athens July 16, 2014. Ten years after Greece hosted the world's greatest sporting extravaganza, many of its once-gleaming Olympic venues have been abandoned while others are used occasionally for non-sporting events such as conferences and weddings. For many Greeks who swelled with pride at the time, the Olympics are now a source of anger as the country struggles through a six-year depression, record unemployment, homelessness and poverty. Just days before the anniversary of the Aug. 13-29 Games in 2004, many question how Greece, among the smallest countries to ever host the Games, has benefited from the multi-billion dollar event. Picture taken July 16, 2014. REUTERS/Yorgos Karahalis (GREECE - Tags: BUSINESS POLITICS SOCIETY SPORT TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY) ATTENTION EDITORS: PICTURE 07 OF 33 FOR WIDER IMAGE PACKAGE 'TEN YEARS ON - ATHENS' FADING OLYMPIC STADIUMS' TO FIND ALL IMAGES SEARCH 'BEHRAKIS KARAHALIS'
    REUTERS
  • A vandalised phone booth is seen at the Athens 2004 Olympic Complex in Athens July 25, 2014. Ten years after Greece hosted the world's greatest sporting extravaganza, many of its once-gleaming Olympic venues have been abandoned while others are used occasionally for non-sporting events such as conferences and weddings. For many Greeks who swelled with pride at the time, the Olympics are now a source of anger as the country struggles through a six-year depression, record unemployment, homelessness and poverty. Just days before the anniversary of the Aug. 13-29 Games in 2004, many question how Greece, among the smallest countries to ever host the Games, has benefited from the multi-billion dollar event. Picture taken July 25, 2014. REUTERS/Yannis Behrakis (GREECE - Tags: SOCIETY SPORT POLITICS BUSINESS) ATTENTION EDITORS: PICTURE 04 OF 33 FOR WIDER IMAGE PACKAGE 'TEN YEARS ON - ATHENS' FADING OLYMPIC STADIUMS' TO FIND ALL IMAGES SEARCH 'BEHRAKIS KARAHALIS'
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    A vandalised phone booth is seen at the Athens 2004 Olympic Complex in Athens

    A vandalised phone booth is seen at the Athens 2004 Olympic Complex in Athens July 25, 2014. Ten years after Greece hosted the world's greatest sporting extravaganza, many of its once-gleaming Olympic venues have been abandoned while others are used occasionally for non-sporting events such as conferences and weddings. For many Greeks who swelled with pride at the time, the Olympics are now a source of anger as the country struggles through a six-year depression, record unemployment, homelessness and poverty. Just days before the anniversary of the Aug. 13-29 Games in 2004, many question how Greece, among the smallest countries to ever host the Games, has benefited from the multi-billion dollar event. Picture taken July 25, 2014. REUTERS/Yannis Behrakis (GREECE - Tags: SOCIETY SPORT POLITICS BUSINESS) ATTENTION EDITORS: PICTURE 04 OF 33 FOR WIDER IMAGE PACKAGE 'TEN YEARS ON - ATHENS' FADING OLYMPIC STADIUMS' TO FIND ALL IMAGES SEARCH 'BEHRAKIS KARAHALIS'
    REUTERS
  • A woman jogs past the Velodrome at the Athens 2004 Olympic Complex in Athens July 27, 2014. Ten years after Greece hosted the world's greatest sporting extravaganza, many of its once-gleaming Olympic venues have been abandoned while others are used occasionally for non-sporting events such as conferences and weddings. For many Greeks who swelled with pride at the time, the Olympics are now a source of anger as the country struggles through a six-year depression, record unemployment, homelessness and poverty. Just days before the anniversary of the Aug. 13-29 Games in 2004, many question how Greece, among the smallest countries to ever host the Games, has benefited from the multi-billion dollar event. Picture taken July 27, 2014. REUTERS/Yannis Behrakis (GREECE - Tags: BUSINESS POLITICS SOCIETY SPORT TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY) ATTENTION EDITORS: PICTURE 03 OF 33 FOR WIDER IMAGE PACKAGE 'TEN YEARS ON - ATHENS' FADING OLYMPIC STADIUMS' TO FIND ALL IMAGES SEARCH 'BEHRAKIS KARAHALIS'
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    A woman jogs past the Velodrome at the Athens 2004 Olympic Complex in Athens

    A woman jogs past the Velodrome at the Athens 2004 Olympic Complex in Athens July 27, 2014. Ten years after Greece hosted the world's greatest sporting extravaganza, many of its once-gleaming Olympic venues have been abandoned while others are used occasionally for non-sporting events such as conferences and weddings. For many Greeks who swelled with pride at the time, the Olympics are now a source of anger as the country struggles through a six-year depression, record unemployment, homelessness and poverty. Just days before the anniversary of the Aug. 13-29 Games in 2004, many question how Greece, among the smallest countries to ever host the Games, has benefited from the multi-billion dollar event. Picture taken July 27, 2014. REUTERS/Yannis Behrakis (GREECE - Tags: BUSINESS POLITICS SOCIETY SPORT TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY) ATTENTION EDITORS: PICTURE 03 OF 33 FOR WIDER IMAGE PACKAGE 'TEN YEARS ON - ATHENS' FADING OLYMPIC STADIUMS' TO FIND ALL IMAGES SEARCH 'BEHRAKIS KARAHALIS'
    REUTERS
A man jogs near the "Agora" structure at the Athens Olympic complex, at the site of the Athens 2004 Olympic Games. July 27, 2014. (REUTERS/Yannis Behrakis)
The sun shines above the Agora structure at the Athens 2004 Olympic Complex in Athens July 27, 2014. Ten years after Greece hosted the world's greatest sporting extravaganza, many of its once-gleaming Olympic venues have been abandoned while others are used occasionally for non-sporting events such as conferences and weddings. For many Greeks who swelled with pride at the time, the Olympics are now a source of anger as the country struggles through a six-year depression, record unemployment, homelessness and poverty. Just days before the anniversary of the Aug. 13-29 Games in 2004, many question how Greece, among the smallest countries to ever host the Games, has benefited from the multi-billion dollar event. Picture taken July 27, 2014. REUTERS/Yannis Behrakis (GREECE - Tags: BUSINESS POLITICS SOCIETY SPORT TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY) ATTENTION EDITORS: PICTURE 01 OF 33 FOR WIDER IMAGE PACKAGE 'TEN YEARS ON - ATHENS' FADING OLYMPIC STADIUMS' TO FIND ALL IMAGES SEARCH 'BEHRAKIS KARAHALIS'
A commuter walks through the Agora structure at the Athens 2004 Olympic Complex in Athens July 25, 2014. Ten years after Greece hosted the world's greatest sporting extravaganza, many of its once-gleaming Olympic venues have been abandoned while others are used occasionally for non-sporting events such as conferences and weddings. For many Greeks who swelled with pride at the time, the Olympics are now a source of anger as the country struggles through a six-year depression, record unemployment, homelessness and poverty. Just days before the anniversary of the Aug. 13-29 Games in 2004, many question how Greece, among the smallest countries to ever host the Games, has benefited from the multi-billion dollar event. Picture taken July 25, 2014. REUTERS/Yannis Behrakis (GREECE - Tags: SOCIETY SPORT POLITICS BUSINESS) ATTENTION EDITORS: PICTURE 02 OF 33 FOR WIDER IMAGE PACKAGE 'TEN YEARS ON - ATHENS' FADING OLYMPIC STADIUMS' TO FIND ALL IMAGES SEARCH 'BEHRAKIS KARAHALIS'
A general view of the former International Broadcasting Centre (IBC) for the Athens 2004 Olympics, which is now a shopping mall, near the Olympic Complex in Athens July 27, 2014. Ten years after Greece hosted the world's greatest sporting extravaganza, many of its once-gleaming Olympic venues have been abandoned while others are used for non-sporting events such as conferences and weddings. For many Greeks who swelled with pride at the time, the Olympics are now a source of anger as the country struggles through a six-year depression, record unemployment, homelessness and poverty. Just days before the anniversary of the Aug. 13-29 Games in 2004, many question how Greece, among the smallest countries to ever host the Games, has benefited from the multi-billion dollar event. Picture taken July 27, 2014. REUTERS/Yannis Behrakis (GREECE - Tags: BUSINESS POLITICS SPORT) ATTENTION EDITORS: PICTURE 26 OF 33 FOR WIDER IMAGE PACKAGE 'TEN YEARS ON - ATHENS' FADING OLYMPIC STADIUMS' TO FIND ALL IMAGES SEARCH 'BEHRAKIS KARAHALIS'
A taxi drives by fading Olympic rings which mark the Olympic Traffic Lane on an avenue leading to the Athens 2004 Olympic Complex in Athens July 26, 2014. Ten years after Greece hosted the world's greatest sporting extravaganza, many of its once-gleaming Olympic venues have been abandoned while others are used occasionally for non-sporting events such as conferences and weddings. For many Greeks who swelled with pride at the time, the Olympics are now a source of anger as the country struggles through a six-year depression, record unemployment, homelessness and poverty. Just days before the anniversary of the Aug. 13-29 Games in 2004, many question how Greece, among the smallest countries to ever host the Games, has benefited from the multi-billion dollar event. Picture taken July 26, 2014. REUTERS/Yannis Behrakis (GREECE - Tags: BUSINESS POLITICS SPORT TRANSPORT) ATTENTION EDITORS: PICTURE 25 OF 33 FOR WIDER IMAGE PACKAGE 'TEN YEARS ON - ATHENS' FADING OLYMPIC STADIUMS' TO FIND ALL IMAGES SEARCH 'BEHRAKIS KARAHALIS'
Broken seats are seen at the abandoned baseball stadium at the Hellenikon Olympic complex in Athens July 16, 2014. Ten years after Greece hosted the world's greatest sporting extravaganza, many of its once-gleaming Olympic venues have been abandoned while others are used occasionally for non-sporting events such as conferences and weddings. For many Greeks who swelled with pride at the time, the Olympics are now a source of anger as the country struggles through a six-year depression, record unemployment, homelessness and poverty. Just days before the anniversary of the Aug. 13-29 Games in 2004, many question how Greece, among the smallest countries to ever host the Games, has benefited from the multi-billion dollar event. Picture taken July 16, 2014. REUTERS/Yorgos Karahalis (GREECE - Tags: BUSINESS POLITICS SOCIETY SPORT TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY) ATTENTION EDITORS: PICTURE 07 OF 33 FOR WIDER IMAGE PACKAGE 'TEN YEARS ON - ATHENS' FADING OLYMPIC STADIUMS' TO FIND ALL IMAGES SEARCH 'BEHRAKIS KARAHALIS'
A vandalised phone booth is seen at the Athens 2004 Olympic Complex in Athens July 25, 2014. Ten years after Greece hosted the world's greatest sporting extravaganza, many of its once-gleaming Olympic venues have been abandoned while others are used occasionally for non-sporting events such as conferences and weddings. For many Greeks who swelled with pride at the time, the Olympics are now a source of anger as the country struggles through a six-year depression, record unemployment, homelessness and poverty. Just days before the anniversary of the Aug. 13-29 Games in 2004, many question how Greece, among the smallest countries to ever host the Games, has benefited from the multi-billion dollar event. Picture taken July 25, 2014. REUTERS/Yannis Behrakis (GREECE - Tags: SOCIETY SPORT POLITICS BUSINESS) ATTENTION EDITORS: PICTURE 04 OF 33 FOR WIDER IMAGE PACKAGE 'TEN YEARS ON - ATHENS' FADING OLYMPIC STADIUMS' TO FIND ALL IMAGES SEARCH 'BEHRAKIS KARAHALIS'
A woman jogs past the Velodrome at the Athens 2004 Olympic Complex in Athens July 27, 2014. Ten years after Greece hosted the world's greatest sporting extravaganza, many of its once-gleaming Olympic venues have been abandoned while others are used occasionally for non-sporting events such as conferences and weddings. For many Greeks who swelled with pride at the time, the Olympics are now a source of anger as the country struggles through a six-year depression, record unemployment, homelessness and poverty. Just days before the anniversary of the Aug. 13-29 Games in 2004, many question how Greece, among the smallest countries to ever host the Games, has benefited from the multi-billion dollar event. Picture taken July 27, 2014. REUTERS/Yannis Behrakis (GREECE - Tags: BUSINESS POLITICS SOCIETY SPORT TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY) ATTENTION EDITORS: PICTURE 03 OF 33 FOR WIDER IMAGE PACKAGE 'TEN YEARS ON - ATHENS' FADING OLYMPIC STADIUMS' TO FIND ALL IMAGES SEARCH 'BEHRAKIS KARAHALIS'
Yahoo News Canada

Ten years after hosting the Olympics, Greece's once gleaming venues are abandoned or used for non-sporting purposes. Take a look at these photos of the faded current state of the 2004 Olympic Complex in Athens. Some of the venues in the complex occasionally get used now, mainly for events such as conferences and weddings.