Following revelations that renovations on the main Olympic stadium and completion of it new roof won’t be finished until July 20, less than a month before the start of the Athens Games, Athens 2004 is in crisis mode.
The delay in work on the main stadium until July 20 will have a major effect on security for the staging of the opening and closing ceremonies which takes weeks of rehearsals. The tight schedule leaves no room for major adjustments if needed.
Deputy Culture Minister Fani Palli-Petralia said after inspecting the site, “we are moving right at the edge”. Palli-Petralia was also upset that no one was working at the site of the nearby aquatic centre, which is still missing a roof needed to shelter athletes from Athens’ blazing August sun and to improve the quality of TV coverage.
Another concern is a long-delayed project – a tram line linking central Athens with a major seaside Olympic sports complex being built at Hellenikon, site of Athens’ old airport. Olympic planners consider the tram a vital part of effort to overcome traffic problems during the Games.
Transport Minister Michalis Liapis has ordered around-the-clock work on the project. He said after an inspection visit, “at today’s pace, there may not have been enough time to finish the project for the Olympics. I made it clear to all involved that we will not allow any more delays”.
At the Hellenikon Sports Complex most of the seven venues being built there, including baseball, softball, basketball, field hockey, fencing and a whitewater kayak course, should be ready by early June. Several test events have already been held at the site.
But Public Works Minister Souflias complained that little or no work has been done to landscape the area or even clean up construction material.
