On August 13, one year from today, or 366 days from now (it’s a leap year), is the start of the Athens 2004 Summer Olympic Games.
But even before the Games begin, on August 11 and 12, 2004 some football matches will be played. And this October, November and December the test events continue. There will be the judo, baseball and softball tournaments in October while in November there will be a marathon and in December the canoe, slalom and moderns pentathlon test events will take place.
To mark the anniversary Jacques Rogge, President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), officially invited a record number of countries to the Athens 2004 Games.
The NOCs of countries receiving the invitations were Greece, Italy, China and Canada – where the next Olympic Games will be held. Also Cuba, Turkey, Germany, Britain, Spain, Russia, the USA, France and Brazil – the nine cities bidding for the 2012 Summer Olympic Games.
Other cities include Afghanistan, whose NOCs suspension was lifted in Prague last month; Timor Leste and Kiribati, whose NOCs have recently been recognized; and Switzerland, home of the IOC headquarters.
All 201 invitations were dispatched immediately after the ceremony by express mail and the NOCs have until December 13, 2003 to reply to the IOC and confirm the attendance of their athletes.
Rogge said that Iraq will be invited to take part in the 2004 Games. He said a provisional Iraqi national Olympic committee had been set up.
Meanwhile Greek Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos has called on all Greeks locally and abroad to band together and work for the success of the Athens 2004 Games.
Reuters reports that the Athens 2004 Games herald the beginning of a new era because in the future the IOC expects to gradually scale down the size of the Olympics, making it more attractive and lucrative for cities all over the world.
IOC officials say that of a total of 117 recommendations, about 31 could be implemented by the start of the Athens Games. An IOC official told Reuters, “the IOC wants the Games to act as an economic and social catalyst and bring something to the city and not just leave behind white elephants. The Games must leave a lasting legacy in the host city”.
The official said that the IOC had also agreed to limit the number of sports to 28 and the number of athletes at 10,500.
The IOC also agreed with Athens Games organizers to replace several planned expensive permanent facilities and venues which would have little or no post-Olympics use, with more cost-effective temporary ones.
This includes scrapping one hockey pitch and a baseball diamond, and changes to the modern pentathlon site, the rowing centre, the badminton courts and the boxing arena.
It is expected that about 300 million euros will be saved.
Another change will be the medals awarded to the athletes. Organizers have redesigned the three awards for the first time since the 1928 Amsterdam Olympics to depict a standing winged Nike – the Greek goddess of victory – instead of a seated one. And instead of a Roman-style coliseum the design for 2004 and beyond will feature the Panathinaiko Stadium.
Those attending the Athens Games will have to dig deep into their pockets. The Associated Press reports that according to figures released Wednesday, renting a private home during the Games will cost at least $940 through official agents working to offset Athens’ acute accommodation shortage.
Although the Games run from August 13-29, the rental period goes from July 10, 2004 to September 10, 2004, with a minimum six-night stay required.
Prices for six nights start at $940 per person and the most expensive is $1,344 per person for six nights.
A 20 per cent extra charge is added for places one kilometre from the main Olympic complex. Ten per cent is added for apartments with a sea view or close to other venues.
Prices for deluxe rentals, which include villas and luxurious apartments, will be provided upon request.
The prices include transport to and from the airport, a cleaning service every three days, liability insurance and an emergency hotline.
The Athens 2004 Games is receiving criticism from several quarters and five-time Olympic gold medallist Michael Johnson joined in by writing in a newspaper column that Athens is crowded, old and ill-equipped to host the Games.
He said Athens will never measure up to the success of the 2000 Sydney Games.
He wrote in The Daily Telegraph, “I believe that they will be ready to stage the Games, but I don’t feel they will be ready or able to stage a great Olympic Games”.
