Internationally renowned DJ Tiesto will perform a 90-minute set as part of Friday's (Aug. 13) opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in Athens. The Dutch artist's live set will accompany the traditional parade of athletes from all participating nations as they enter the Greek city's Olympic Stadium.
"Our ceremonies will include unique Greek artistic elements along with modern and international perspectives," Athens 2004 organizing committee president Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki says. "While it is path-breaking, it is also natural, that a modern artist like Tiesto will contribute to the celebration we're planning on our opening night."
Tiesto is expected to incorporate new tracks produced especially for the event, as well as songs suited to the inspirational aspect of the Games. According to published reports following dress rehearsals earlier this week, the opening spectacle will also feature such sights as a Trojan horse, an enormous statue of the goddess Athena rising through a lake in the middle of the stadium and other mythical figures.
The event will be televised in the United States on NBC beginning at 8 p.m. ET.
"I am honored to be to be part of the biggest sports event in the world," Tiesto says. "The fact that the Games are returning to their birthplace and to the city where they were revived makes Athens 2004 very special. The opportunity to perform my music for billions of people around the globe will be the greatest highlight of my life."
Tiesto's latest album, "Just Be" (Black Hole/Nettwerk), debuted in June at No. 3 on Billboard's Top Electronic Albums chart and No. 11 on the Top Heatseekers tally. Nettwerk America plans to release a new mix from the DJ in October.
For the U.S. viewing audience, NBC has scheduled 1,200 hours of coverage across seven channels, including Spanish-language Telemundo and cable outlets MSNBC, CNBC and Bravo.
