Two major sports complexes crucial for the Athens 2004 Summer Olympic Games are causing concern from the Greek government because of delays in construction.
Lawsuits by construction companies and area residents have caused delays in the main Olympic sports centre, where organizers want to build a giant steel-and-glass dome over the stadium. Also delayed is a sports complex at Athens’ old Hellenikon international airport, which will host canoe and slalom events, basketball preliminaries, softball and baseball.
Sports Minister Nasos Alevras told the state-run Athens News Agency that the stadium dome designed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava is a problem “because it is complicated” while related infrastructure projects are delayed by “injunctions from construction companies”.
He said construction of the dome is to begin in late April, after a decision is taken during an International Olympic Committee (IOC) inspection earlier in the month.
Alevras said he was optimistic the projects would be completed. “These are works that have the pressure of time, but I believe they will be ready on time”.
