"This is the perfect answer to people who have doubted you. It will leave a great legacy for Greece and Athens for years to come," the president of the International Olympic Committee said as he toured Athens' flagship arena, where workers were putting a final polish to a project that had become a byword for delays.

"The IOC has always expressed its confidence that our Greek friends would finish preparations in due time. This has been achieved with a great efficiency amid widespread scepticism."

"I want to thank the Greek public for their patience."

After seven years of construction delays and political in-fighting, Greece has mounted a final sprint to be ready for Friday's opening ceremony, having invested some $6 billion in hosting the two weeks of sport. Four years ago, the IOC took the unusual step of threatening to move the 2004 Games elsewhere if the Greek authorities failed to speed up their preparations.

One lingering concern for the organisers has been slow sales of tickets for many events and Rogge took the opportunity to encourage local residents to make sure stadiums would be filled.

"I am quite sure that the Greek public will support the effort to create a modern Greece and I call on you, the Greek public, to come to the venues to cheer for the Greek team and the other teams," said Rogge, sporting the official tracksuit.

Local ticket sales have picked up in the past week. Many Athenians, used to escaping the city's August heat and angered by the disruption that major infrastructure projects have caused to daily life, had earlier been slow to book seats for events.