In five months, the city of Athens will host 1.5 million visitors, spectators, reporters and the world’s greatest athletes, for the 2004 Summer Olympics. The ancient home of the Olympic games has taken a lot of flak for its slow pace of preparation for this year’s games. Now, the time for advance preparation is gone and there is still much to be completed.

In a jittery post-9/11 world and in the wake of bombings in Turkey and Spain, Olympic security is a top priority and daunting challenge this summer. Greek officials have put in a special request to NATO for additional help. The U.S. military has joined an extensive training drill dubbed “Shield of Hercules” with 400 U.S. troops taking part.

With the Olympics less than six months away, can host city Athens safely pull off the world’s greatest games? And what kind of reception awaits American athletes at this ultimate global event?

Guests:

Trent Gegax, correspondent, Newsweek Magazine

John Powers, sports reporter, The Boston Globe

Larry Buendorf, chief security officer, US Olympic Committee

Sara McMann, women’s freestyle wrestler.