The famous stadium will host Olympic competition for the first time in 108 years. The last time it was used for an Olympic event was in 1896, when the first modern Games were held at the venue.

Now, Panathinaiko is archery’s home. Action starts with the first round of women’s Olympic Round matches. There will be two sessions held, the first starting at 8.30am and the second at 3.30pm.

Most interest will centre around the performances of the brilliant Korean trio of Park Sung Hyun, defending Olympic champion Yun Mi Jin and impressive newcomer Lee Sung Jin. Park scored a world record of 682 for 72 arrows during the Ranking Round on Thursday, with Lee and Jun in second and third place respectively.

Korea has won every women’s archery gold medal since 1984. Supporting the team from the media area this time is Kim Soo Nyung, the archery legend who won four gold medals, a silver and a bronze in her three Olympic appearances. Kim, the sport’s greatest medallist since it returned to the Games in 1972, is in Athens to do commentary for Korean television.

Also attracting much attention is Greece’s Evangelia Psarra, who is ranked eighth for the Olympic Round. Psarra has received much publicity in local papers in Athens. She is matched with Australia’s Jo-Ann Galbraith.

Many of the archers marched in the Friday’s spectacular Opening Ceremony. Today (Saturday) all athletes had the opportunity to shoot in Panathinaiko Stadium to familiarise themselves with the conditions.