A contract for the construction of Olympic venues hosting table tennis and rhythmic gymnastics events was signed four months after Athens Olympic organizers had planned. The work will be carried out by a Greek company.
Meanwhile, Greek Prime Minister Costas Simits on Wednesday demanded a local version of any ‘Olympic Truce’ amongst all parties active in the 2004 Athens Games’ preparations, reports the Athens-based Olympian Press Agency (OPA). Simitis will assume the role of Greece’s chief interlocutor with the IOC. He also called for “balance” and moderation by all in order to stop what he termed as a “dramatization, whenever problems surface”.
A Greek government spokesman said Simits would deal directly with the IOC over the problematic preparations for the Athens Games.
Press secretary Telemachos Hytiris said Simitis had sent a letter to the IOC saying he would like to take a more direct role in a bid to improve the unsatisfactory work of this ministers and ATHOC.
But he said the Greek premier was certain that Greece would have met 97 per cent of its obligations towards the IOC for 2001 by the end of this year.
Hytiris said members of the inter-ministerial committee, which oversees the state’s presence on numerous construction projects and infrastructure, were briefed on the progress of several venues since September, when IOC vice-president Denis Oswald conveyed his concerns shortly after an IOC delegation visit.
Concerning ATHOC, Hytiris described the cooperation between the government and the former as “very good”. As for “alternate scenarios” for certain venues, Hytiris said plans would be given to IOC officials next week, following an IOC request.
Meanwhile, Public Order Minister Mihalis Chrysohoidis, referring to security for the 2004 Games in the wake of the Sept. 11 attacks said, “we shall improve measures wherever there is a deficit through the new situation which has arisen. We are cooperating with an advisory group of officers from seven foreign countries having invaluable experience on Olympic Games and issues concerning terrorism”. He said that Greek police officers have gone to Salt Lake City where the 2002 Winter Games will be held, to receive training.
