A BBC radio program found that there was evidence of poor safety standards at construction sites for the Athens 2004 Summer Olympic Games. According to a Greek union representative many workers have been killed – many more than the official death toll of 14.
But he told BBC Radio 4’s Face the Facts program that no official numbers are being kept.
A BBC team observed workers – many from Eastern Europe and South Asia – operating without protective equipment and with minimal supervision.
Speaking on BBC radio Greek Olympic Committee President Lampis Nikolaou admitted that the death toll in Athens was far greater than in any other city to have recently hosted the Games. One person died in the construction of the Sydney Games and two at the Barcelona Olympics.
The BBC team visited some of the 39 new sites still under construction for the Olympics with British health and safety expert Tom Mellish. He said there was widespread evidence of poor safety standards, no protective clothing, and little or no apparent organization. Such sites would be closed down in the UK he said.
Mellish said, “you can see the debris, you can see the disorder…that gives you a clue that these sites aren’t organized, they aren’t being managed properly and that’s a general view. You get down to some of the detail then you get some real howlers for health and safety”.
He added in his view the Athens experience raised questions for the International Olympic Committee (IOC) about which countries were truly suitable to host the Games in the future.
The general secretary for the Olympic Games, Spyros Capralos, admitted to BBC presenter John Waite that he had no idea how many workers have died constructing the Games. He said, “…we have taken all the necessary measures (so) that we don’t have any accidents in the preparation of these Olympic Games”.
The general secretary of the Greek Construction Workers’ Union, George Theodorou, said on Face the Facts that he had collected names and details of 14 workers who had died on Olympic facilities. But he believes there have been many more deaths on all the supporting infrastructure, like Athens’ new roads, tram lines and metro, taking the actual death toll to 40.
He said, “men are being forced to work long shifts, up to 14 hours a day every day, in very hot temperatures and under constant pressure to complete construction work in time for the Olympics.
“Most have no hard hats or safety boots and if they complain, they’re sacked”.
