Greece spent $15 billion to stage the “unforgettable, dream games” that IOC President Jacques Rogge had congratulated the country on. The Mirror is the latest newspaper to cast the spotlight on the abandoned Olympic venues from the 2004 Athens Olympic that has drawn the attention of local media time and again.

It’s hard to believe that 10 years ago everybody thought that these state-of-the-art facilities would leave Greece with an improved infrastructure, lifting the level of its sportsmanship. By the looks of the shocking images, it seems Greece had no use for world-class, high-maintenance sports venues, especially for niche sports like softball.

Most of the venues were designed specifically for the games and now sit unused like a worn-only-once prom dress. The future looks grim as Greece’s economic frailties have led to no further investment.

Some of the photographs…

A general view of the Olympic Aquatic Center.

Can you imagine swimming god Michael Phelps swimming here? And yet, this is the place where he won eight gold medals just ten years ago.

The Olympic Softball Stadium at the Helleniko Olympic Complex stands as proof that Greece has no use for such niche sports.

A view of the Athens Aquatic Center with the faded “Welcome Home” motto that stands as a haunting reminder of former glory.

The Helleniko softball complex.

General view of the Olympic Baseball Stadium at the Helliniko Olympic complex.

A general view of the Olympic Baseball Stadium at Helliniko with more “hell” and less “iniko”…

The derelict stands of the Olympic Baseball Stadium.

Weeds grow at the Volleyball Beachball Olympic Stadium where fine athletes once stood at Faliro Olympic Complex.

A general view of the former Olympic Village.

A General view of the Olympic Canoe/Kayak Slalom Center at Helliniko.

Frogs live training at the Olympic Village

And back in the heydays…