Athens Square Park, Astoria, NY: Astoria will make history on June 19th, 2004 as the Olympic torch ends its US tour of four cities in Athens Square Park, on the corner of 30th Avenue and 30th Street.

For the first time in the history of the games, the Olympic torch relay will span the entire globe. Beginning and ending in Athens, Greece, the flame's first international stop will be in Sydney, Australia on June 2nd.

Starting in Athens Square Park, amidst bronze statues of Athena and Socrates and Greco pillars, the torch will begin a 35 mile tour of New York City, spanning all five boroughs. New York will be the last of four major US cities to relay the torch -- Los Angeles (June 16th) , St. Louis (June 17th) and Atlanta (June 18th).

Not unlike the Olympics, Athens Square Park represents a special place to people of all races and nationalities. The statue of Athena, donated on behalf of the people of Athens, Greece and its mayor Dimitris L. Avramopoulos in 1998 to the people of New York City, holds much significance to many Astoria residents who pride their Greek heritage. The park is often bustling on a sunny day, with children scurrying around the playground, teens playing basketball, and old men engaged in an intense match of checkers, and is a great place to watch the gentrified population of Astoria walk by.

The announcement of the event has prompted a great deal of anticipation and enthusiasm of Astoria residents and business owners. "This is huge news for the area, and will be great for the businesses in the community", said Grace O'Sullivan, owner of Grace Realty, located one block away from the park.

The torch lighting event, co-sponsored by 30th Avenue Merchant Association and MyAstoria.com, is expected to draw a huge turn-out of spectators and media outlets. 30th Avenue will be closed off to traffic, serving as the torch's pathway until it is relayed outside of Astoria.

The lighting ceremony is scheduled to begin at 10:00AM, according to the mayor's office. We suggest you get there early.