The International Olympic Committee executive board approved Athens $1.7 billion budget, ticketing program, sports competition schedule and torch relay plans.
Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki, head of Athens 2004, said, “it is clear that significant progress has been made in all areas. However, time remains the most critical element of the preparation for the Games. We have to strengthen our efforts even more. We do not have a single day to waste”.
Denis Oswald, head of the IOC panel overseeing the Athens preparations, gave a detailed report to the board. He said, “the delay which has been accumulated in the first years is still existing. The remaining time to achieve the huge task that is necessary to be ready for the Games needs a lot of hard work. We cannot lose any day. It will be a race against the clock until the end. We have to keep the pressure on””
Oswald noted one of the most critical problems is a shortage of 3,000 hotel beds. He said there is a possibility the new hotels will be build or that more cruise ships will be used for accommodations.
Athens plans to unveil its Olympic mascot program next month, said Oswald. Rather than needing approval of the full executive board, the plans will require only the endorsement of IOC president Jacques Rogge and Oswald.
Meanwhile, members of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) expressed their satisfaction with the Paralympic preparation for the Paralympic Games, which follow the Olympic Games.
Phil Craven, the new IPC President, underlined “our excellent cooperation with the Athens 2004 members, as well as with the Agencies implementing Paralympic projects. We are convinced that Athens will stage the best Paralympic Games ever”.
The re-elected IPC General Secretary, Miguel Saggara is convinced that “Athens will strive to ensure the highest possible accessibility for people with a disability. I know this is not possible for all transport means or monuments, but we are sure that every effort will be made”.
Athens 2004 Paralympic Games Manager Aris Kallipolitis stressed that “the Organising Committee is not striving only for successful Olympic Games – it has set itself an equally important objective: successful Paralympic Games”.
