$7.2 billion: The estimated cost of putting on the 2004 Olympics in Athens, though some analysts predict that the number could jump to as much as $12.5 billion by the time the Games are over. The number is a far cry from the original $5.6 billion price tag attached to the Olympics.

Many have decried the exorbitant amount being spent on the Games, as it will likely saddle Greece with a deficit that exceeds European Union ceilings. Analysts predict that the Greek taxpayers could be shelling out money to cover the Games for the next decade.

24: The number of hours per day that military aircraft will be patrolling the Athens skies during the Olympics. The precaution is just one of several that has run the Games’ security bill up to a record $1.5 billion.

70,000 law enforcement officials will be on hand, in addition to 200 NATO soldiers and a rapid-response team of 400 men and women. A $312 million communication and surveillance system has also been developed specifically for the Olympics.

26: The number of countries through which the historical Olympic torch has traveled. Six hundred people will carry the torch through its final two days, a trip from Marathon to the opening ceremonies in Athens tomorrow night.

Nine-time gold medalist Carl Lewis and model Naomi Campbell are said to be among those who will bring the torch through Athens.

3: The number of hours that the opening ceremony is expected to run. Tuesday’s dress rehearsal, which was attended by some 35,000 spectators, revealed many of the extravagant performances that are to take place. A giant statue of Athena, protector of the city, is said to rise from the ground in the stadium, and a Trojan horse will also be involved in the ceremony.

70,000 people are expected to attend the ceremony.

2.5 million: The number of tickets sold through Wednesday for Olympic events. Though 5.3 million tickets are available, officials have set a goal of 3.4 million sold, a mark that will likely be met as the Games draw closer.

Soccer has accounted for much of the Games’ sales (about 25 percent), while track and field events have also been a big draw lately.

6: The number of athletes that have been officially banned from Olympic competition for using performance-enhancing drugs. The most recent of these was American sprinter Torri Edwards, who received a two-year ban for doping yesterday. Her place in the 100-meter sprint will be assumed by 37-year-old Gail Devers.

After 11 athletes — six medalists — tested positive for performance enhancers at the Sydney Games, officials decided to up the number of tests completed by 25 percent in Athens. There are also reports that new bans and improved tests will be in place for this summer’s Olympics.

102: The age, in years, of James Stillman Rockefeller, who until his death on Tuesday was the oldest known Olympic medalist in the world. Rockefeller was a member of the eight-man rowing team that won gold in the 1924 Olympics in Paris.

7: The number of sibling pairs competing together in Athens. The count is down by one since yesterday, when Serena Williams withdrew from Olympic competition, leaving sister Venus to defend the duo’s doubles title with another partner.

Stanford sends two of the seven pairs: swimmers Tara and Dana Kirk and tennis players Bob and Mike Bryan.

The other sibling pairs are Divers Troy and Justin Dumais, fencers Keeth and Erinn Smart and Sada and Emily Jacobson, gymnasts and twin brothers Paul and Morgan Hamm and swimmers Kalyn and Klete Keller.

13: The number of workers killed during the construction of the Olympic venues in Athens. Anti-Olympics demonstrators gathered in front of Parliament on Tuesday to honor the workers.

Amnesty International reported that Olympics-related deaths may be as high as 40.

0: The number of times that women’s wrestling has been an Olympic sport. 2004 marks the debut of the event, and the United States will be sending four women to represent the country, including Stanford graduate Patricia Miranda. Three of the four won silver medals at last year’s world championships.