On the second of its three-day tour of Athens 2004 key sites, Reuters reports that International Olympic Committee (IOC) inspectors said they were encouraged by the progress and discussions with organizers.
One inspector told Reuters, “when you see the progress that has been achieved, it’s quite impressive. The people responsible for the transport project told us ‘this is what we are going to do’ and we had an opportunity to ask questions”.
The IOC officials went on two separate tours of key 2004 sites, including softball and baseball fields and the main Olympic complex.
But, according to the Associated Press, the IOC fears delays in building a steel-and-glass roof at the Olympic stadium could interfere with crucial pre-Olympic test events next year.
Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos told the media, “the general estimation is positive because the works are complete and key deadlines have been met. The discussions are now focusing on a few issues”.
The IOC official said Olympic Games General Secretary Kostas Kartalis told the IOC the tram line, which fell behind schedule because of insufficient environmental studies and a redrawing of a central Athens line to avoid damage to antiquities, would be ready by March.
Kartalis pledged the suburban railway linking Athens with the airport would be ready by the start of the year, the official told Reuters.
Inspectors were to visit Karaiskaki stadium, still in its infancy, which will host the soccer finals, after tackling the Games’ security plan.
Before ending their visit Friday the IOC delegation was expected to urge the Greek organizers to finalize details of a multi-million pound security contract, which is the cornerstone of Athens’ 650 million euro security plan.
Although organizers have picked the consortium which will handle the project, it has yet to close the deal and start implementing the infrastructure which links closed-circuit TV cameras, wireless communication for thousands of police, and monitoring of hundreds of official cars and buses during the Games.
But at the end of the visit Friday the IOC said the security plan was satisfactory and new equipment for the police would be delivered soon.
While warning that preparations were in the final lap with not a day to be lost, the IOC’s chief Athens Games inspector Denis Oswald said, “the IOC is confident Athens has the necessary stamina…to cross the finish line successfully”.
This was the second-last check on the state of preparations for the Athens 2004 Games.
