The archery was staged at the ancient Panathinaikos Stadium, which had served as the main venue for the inaugural modern Games back in 1896, which undoubtedly added an extra dimension to the events. Built in 329BC the stadium was also used to provide a dramatic climax for the men's and women's marathons in 2004.

Marc Gagnon had been skating since he was three, and competing from the age of four. He was a short track world champion before he was out of his teens and made his first Winter Games debut in 1994, taking a bronze in the 1,000m.