Greek Premier Costas Simitis has urged his government and Olympic organizers to work harder to make up for delays leading to the 2004 Summer Games. He made his request during a meeting between government ministers in charge of the Olympics and members of the Athens organizing committee.
Greece’s highest administrative court rejected a number of appeals by archaeological and environmental groups seeking to stop construction of an Olympic rowing venue near the site of the ancient Battle of Marathon. A majority of the 27 judges said the requests had been submitted late. The decision is expected to be published next month.
A rowing centre in Schinias, 18 miles from Athens and one of the few Olympic venues ahead of schedule, is being opposed by environmental groups and archaeologists. They say the venue would endanger birds, fish and a rare species of pine; and encroach on the battle site, the namesake of the race.
Among the Greek officials traveling to the Salt Lake Games are Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos and Foreign Minister George Papandreou.
To ease the problem of accommodation during Athens 2004, eleven boats in the port of Piraeus with 6,500 cabins will house 13,500 members of the Olympic family. Eight ports across the country will contribute to Olympic accommodation.
And finally, construction work on a sailing centre in Aghios Kosmas near Athens has gained endorsement from the delegation of the International Sailing Federation (ISAF) following a visit to the site. The ISAF’s general secretary Arve Sundheim, and its technical director Jerom Pels, saw that work on the project was on target and that requirements for accompanying facilities were being met.
